CDN EXAM 2026 - COMPLETE TEST BANK WITH 150
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1. The primary hormone responsible for stimulating red blood cell production
is:
A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Erythropoietin
D. Renin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone primarily produced by the kidneys
that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. In CKD, the kidneys
produce less erythropoietin, leading to anemia .
Question 2. A patient with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has an arteriovenous (AV)
fistula. Which of the following findings indicates the fistula is patent and functioning
well?
A. Absence of a bruit or thrill
B. Presence of a continuous bruit and palpable thrill
C. Coolness and pallor of the extremity
D. Edema and erythema at the access site
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: A patent AV fistula will have a palpable thrill (vibration felt on palpation) and
a continuous bruit (whooshing sound) on auscultation. Absence of these findings
suggests stenosis or thrombosis .
Question 3. Which of the following is a major complication of central venous catheters
(CVCs) used for dialysis?
A. Hypotension during dialysis
B. Infection and sepsis
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Muscle cramps
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are associated with a higher risk of
bloodstream infections and sepsis compared to AV fistulas or grafts .
Question 4. A patient on hemodialysis is experiencing a rapid drop in blood pressure.
Which of the following is a common contributing factor?
A. Low ultrafiltration rate
B. Excessive fluid removal
C. Hypervolemia
D. Elevated hematocrit
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hypotension during hemodialysis is often caused by excessive ultrafiltration
(fluid removal), which reduces the circulating blood volume. Symptoms include
lightheadedness, nausea, cramps, and loss of consciousness .
Question 5. The initial treatment for hypotension during hemodialysis is to:
A. Increase the blood flow rate
B. Administer IV saline
C. Decrease the heparin dose
D. Apply a warm blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The immediate treatment for hypotension during dialysis is to administer a
bolus of normal saline to increase intravascular volume. The ultrafiltration rate is turned
down or stopped .
Question 6. Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat secondary
hyperparathyroidism in CKD patients?
A. Calcitriol
B. Erythropoietin
C. Sevelamer
D. Insulin
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Calcitriol (active vitamin D) suppresses PTH production and treats secondary
hyperparathyroidism. Sevelamer is a phosphate binder. Erythropoietin is for anemia .
Question 7. Which erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) is most commonly used to
treat anemia of chronic kidney disease in dialysis patients?
A. Epoetin alfa
B. Iron dextran
C. Sevelamer
D. Calcitriol
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Epoetin alfa is the most widely used ESA for dialysis-associated anemia,
stimulating bone marrow production of red blood cells .
Question 8. During hemodialysis, the blood pump stops and blood is observed to be
dark in the arterial line. What is the most likely cause?
A. Arterial needle clotting or dislodgement
B. Venous needle infiltration
C. Air in the venous line
D. Low dialysate flow rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dark, de-oxygenated blood backing up in the arterial line suggests the
arterial needle has clotted or dislodged, severely limiting blood flow .
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1. The primary hormone responsible for stimulating red blood cell production
is:
A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Erythropoietin
D. Renin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone primarily produced by the kidneys
that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. In CKD, the kidneys
produce less erythropoietin, leading to anemia .
Question 2. A patient with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has an arteriovenous (AV)
fistula. Which of the following findings indicates the fistula is patent and functioning
well?
A. Absence of a bruit or thrill
B. Presence of a continuous bruit and palpable thrill
C. Coolness and pallor of the extremity
D. Edema and erythema at the access site
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: A patent AV fistula will have a palpable thrill (vibration felt on palpation) and
a continuous bruit (whooshing sound) on auscultation. Absence of these findings
suggests stenosis or thrombosis .
Question 3. Which of the following is a major complication of central venous catheters
(CVCs) used for dialysis?
A. Hypotension during dialysis
B. Infection and sepsis
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Muscle cramps
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are associated with a higher risk of
bloodstream infections and sepsis compared to AV fistulas or grafts .
Question 4. A patient on hemodialysis is experiencing a rapid drop in blood pressure.
Which of the following is a common contributing factor?
A. Low ultrafiltration rate
B. Excessive fluid removal
C. Hypervolemia
D. Elevated hematocrit
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hypotension during hemodialysis is often caused by excessive ultrafiltration
(fluid removal), which reduces the circulating blood volume. Symptoms include
lightheadedness, nausea, cramps, and loss of consciousness .
Question 5. The initial treatment for hypotension during hemodialysis is to:
A. Increase the blood flow rate
B. Administer IV saline
C. Decrease the heparin dose
D. Apply a warm blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The immediate treatment for hypotension during dialysis is to administer a
bolus of normal saline to increase intravascular volume. The ultrafiltration rate is turned
down or stopped .
Question 6. Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat secondary
hyperparathyroidism in CKD patients?
A. Calcitriol
B. Erythropoietin
C. Sevelamer
D. Insulin
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Calcitriol (active vitamin D) suppresses PTH production and treats secondary
hyperparathyroidism. Sevelamer is a phosphate binder. Erythropoietin is for anemia .
Question 7. Which erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) is most commonly used to
treat anemia of chronic kidney disease in dialysis patients?
A. Epoetin alfa
B. Iron dextran
C. Sevelamer
D. Calcitriol
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Epoetin alfa is the most widely used ESA for dialysis-associated anemia,
stimulating bone marrow production of red blood cells .
Question 8. During hemodialysis, the blood pump stops and blood is observed to be
dark in the arterial line. What is the most likely cause?
A. Arterial needle clotting or dislodgement
B. Venous needle infiltration
C. Air in the venous line
D. Low dialysate flow rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dark, de-oxygenated blood backing up in the arterial line suggests the
arterial needle has clotted or dislodged, severely limiting blood flow .
