1
CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES NURSE (CDDN) EXAM 2026
JUST RELEASED UPDATED STUDY GUIDE RELEVANT TO ACTUAL
SITTING EXAM
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse (CDDN) practice exam assesses a nurse’s ability to
provide safe, ethical, evidence-based, and person-centered care to individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (IDD) across the lifespan.
This exam reflects the knowledge domains and clinical judgment expected of nurses working in:
• Community-based settings
• Residential facilities
• Acute and long-term care
• School and vocational programs
Exam Structure
• Total Questions: 100
• Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
• Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
• Focus Areas:
1. Foundations of Developmental Disabilities Nursing
2. Assessment & Care Planning
3. Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
4. Behavioral & Mental Health Support
5. Medical & Pharmacologic Management
6. Communication & Person-Centered Care
7. Legal, Ethical & Advocacy Issues
8. Safety, Abuse Prevention & Quality of Life
Each question includes:
• Correct answer
• Concise rationale aligned with developmental disabilities nursing practice
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SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
NURSING (Q1–15)
1. Developmental disabilities are best defined as conditions
that:
A. Occur only in adulthood
B. Are temporary and reversible
C. Begin before age 22 and cause functional limitations
D. Affect intelligence only
Answer: C
Rationale: Developmental disabilities originate before age 22
and result in long-term functional limitations.
2. The most important principle in developmental disabilities
nursing is:
A. Medical control
B. Institutional care
C. Person-centered care
D. Cost containment
Answer: C
Rationale: Care must be individualized, respecting preferences,
strengths, and autonomy.
, 3
3. Which condition is considered a developmental disability?
A. Parkinson’s disease
B. Alzheimer’s disease
C. Cerebral palsy
D. Multiple sclerosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Cerebral palsy is a lifelong developmental disability
present early in life.
4. Intellectual disability is characterized by:
A. Mental illness
B. Low IQ only
C. Limitations in intellectual and adaptive functioning
D. Behavioral problems
Answer: C
Rationale: Diagnosis requires deficits in both intellectual
functioning and adaptive behavior.
5. Adaptive functioning includes:
A. Physical endurance
B. Daily living and social skills
CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES NURSE (CDDN) EXAM 2026
JUST RELEASED UPDATED STUDY GUIDE RELEVANT TO ACTUAL
SITTING EXAM
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse (CDDN) practice exam assesses a nurse’s ability to
provide safe, ethical, evidence-based, and person-centered care to individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (IDD) across the lifespan.
This exam reflects the knowledge domains and clinical judgment expected of nurses working in:
• Community-based settings
• Residential facilities
• Acute and long-term care
• School and vocational programs
Exam Structure
• Total Questions: 100
• Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
• Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
• Focus Areas:
1. Foundations of Developmental Disabilities Nursing
2. Assessment & Care Planning
3. Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
4. Behavioral & Mental Health Support
5. Medical & Pharmacologic Management
6. Communication & Person-Centered Care
7. Legal, Ethical & Advocacy Issues
8. Safety, Abuse Prevention & Quality of Life
Each question includes:
• Correct answer
• Concise rationale aligned with developmental disabilities nursing practice
,2
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
NURSING (Q1–15)
1. Developmental disabilities are best defined as conditions
that:
A. Occur only in adulthood
B. Are temporary and reversible
C. Begin before age 22 and cause functional limitations
D. Affect intelligence only
Answer: C
Rationale: Developmental disabilities originate before age 22
and result in long-term functional limitations.
2. The most important principle in developmental disabilities
nursing is:
A. Medical control
B. Institutional care
C. Person-centered care
D. Cost containment
Answer: C
Rationale: Care must be individualized, respecting preferences,
strengths, and autonomy.
, 3
3. Which condition is considered a developmental disability?
A. Parkinson’s disease
B. Alzheimer’s disease
C. Cerebral palsy
D. Multiple sclerosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Cerebral palsy is a lifelong developmental disability
present early in life.
4. Intellectual disability is characterized by:
A. Mental illness
B. Low IQ only
C. Limitations in intellectual and adaptive functioning
D. Behavioral problems
Answer: C
Rationale: Diagnosis requires deficits in both intellectual
functioning and adaptive behavior.
5. Adaptive functioning includes:
A. Physical endurance
B. Daily living and social skills
