CDN Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice
Exam Questions with Answers and
Rationales EXAM REVIEWS 2025-2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. Stimulate insulin production
B. Remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood
C. Increase red blood cell production
D. Improve liver function
Answer: B. Remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood
Rationale: Hemodialysis replaces the filtering function of failed
kidneys by removing toxins, electrolytes, and excess fluid.
2. Which laboratory value best reflects long-term kidney function?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Serum creatinine
C. White blood cell count
D. Platelet count
Answer: B. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is commonly used to assess renal
function, although eGFR provides an even better estimate.
,3. Which vascular access has the lowest infection risk?
A. Tunneled catheter
B. Non-tunneled catheter
C. Arteriovenous fistula
D. PICC line
Answer: C. Arteriovenous fistula
Rationale: AV fistulas have the longest lifespan and lowest rates of
infection and thrombosis.
4. The preferred site for creating an AV fistula is:
A. Lower leg
B. Dominant wrist
C. Non-dominant forearm
D. Neck
Answer: C. Non-dominant forearm
Rationale: The non-dominant forearm is preferred to preserve
function and minimize complications.
5. Which assessment confirms AV fistula patency?
A. Bounding pulse only
B. Presence of bruit and thrill
C. Skin redness
D. Cold extremity
Answer: B. Presence of bruit and thrill
Rationale: A palpable thrill and audible bruit indicate blood is flowing
through the fistula.
,6. The most common cause of chronic kidney disease is:
A. Asthma
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Pneumonia
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: B. Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease
worldwide.
7. Which electrolyte abnormality is most life-threatening in kidney
failure?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
8. During dialysis, hypotension most commonly results from:
A. Excessive ultrafiltration
B. Eating too much protein
C. Hyperglycemia
D. High hemoglobin
Answer: A. Excessive ultrafiltration
Rationale: Removing fluid faster than vascular refill leads to
intradialytic hypotension.
, 9. Which symptom commonly accompanies dialysis disequilibrium
syndrome?
A. Headache
B. Bradycardia only
C. Hematuria
D. Jaundice
Answer: A. Headache
Rationale: Headache, nausea, vomiting, and confusion are early
signs.
10. A patient complains of chest pain during dialysis. The nurse
should first:
A. Continue treatment
B. Assess the patient and notify the provider immediately
C. Increase blood flow rate
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B. Assess the patient and notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia, air
embolism, or other serious complications.
11. Normal predialysis potassium range is approximately:
A. 1–2 mEq/L
B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
C. 6.5–8.0 mEq/L
D. 9–10 mEq/L
Answer: B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
Exam Questions with Answers and
Rationales EXAM REVIEWS 2025-2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. Stimulate insulin production
B. Remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood
C. Increase red blood cell production
D. Improve liver function
Answer: B. Remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood
Rationale: Hemodialysis replaces the filtering function of failed
kidneys by removing toxins, electrolytes, and excess fluid.
2. Which laboratory value best reflects long-term kidney function?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Serum creatinine
C. White blood cell count
D. Platelet count
Answer: B. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine is commonly used to assess renal
function, although eGFR provides an even better estimate.
,3. Which vascular access has the lowest infection risk?
A. Tunneled catheter
B. Non-tunneled catheter
C. Arteriovenous fistula
D. PICC line
Answer: C. Arteriovenous fistula
Rationale: AV fistulas have the longest lifespan and lowest rates of
infection and thrombosis.
4. The preferred site for creating an AV fistula is:
A. Lower leg
B. Dominant wrist
C. Non-dominant forearm
D. Neck
Answer: C. Non-dominant forearm
Rationale: The non-dominant forearm is preferred to preserve
function and minimize complications.
5. Which assessment confirms AV fistula patency?
A. Bounding pulse only
B. Presence of bruit and thrill
C. Skin redness
D. Cold extremity
Answer: B. Presence of bruit and thrill
Rationale: A palpable thrill and audible bruit indicate blood is flowing
through the fistula.
,6. The most common cause of chronic kidney disease is:
A. Asthma
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Pneumonia
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: B. Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease
worldwide.
7. Which electrolyte abnormality is most life-threatening in kidney
failure?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
8. During dialysis, hypotension most commonly results from:
A. Excessive ultrafiltration
B. Eating too much protein
C. Hyperglycemia
D. High hemoglobin
Answer: A. Excessive ultrafiltration
Rationale: Removing fluid faster than vascular refill leads to
intradialytic hypotension.
, 9. Which symptom commonly accompanies dialysis disequilibrium
syndrome?
A. Headache
B. Bradycardia only
C. Hematuria
D. Jaundice
Answer: A. Headache
Rationale: Headache, nausea, vomiting, and confusion are early
signs.
10. A patient complains of chest pain during dialysis. The nurse
should first:
A. Continue treatment
B. Assess the patient and notify the provider immediately
C. Increase blood flow rate
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B. Assess the patient and notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia, air
embolism, or other serious complications.
11. Normal predialysis potassium range is approximately:
A. 1–2 mEq/L
B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
C. 6.5–8.0 mEq/L
D. 9–10 mEq/L
Answer: B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
