Hurst Readiness Practice Exam 2026 – Your Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A patent arteriovenous (AV) shunt, which is commonly used for dialysis access, is critical for ensuring proper blood flow during the procedure. The presence of a bruit and a thrill are both key physical findings that indicate the shunt is functioning correctly.

A bruit is a continuous sound heard over the access site due to the turbulent blood flow that occurs when arterial blood flows into the venous system through the shunt. This sound can be auscultated with a stethoscope. A thrill is a palpable vibration produced by the same turbulent flow and can be felt when placing a hand over the site. The presence of both a bruit and a thrill together is a reliable indicator that the AV shunt is patent, meaning it is open and blood is flowing through it as intended.

In contrast, a strong radial pulse alone does not specifically indicate the status of an AV shunt, as it may not reflect the functioning of the shunt. Blood return on the venous side is important but does not specifically indicate patency on its own, as other factors could influence venous return. Lastly, urine output is associated with kidney function and dialysis effectiveness but does not provide direct evidence of shunt patency. The combined findings of a bruit