CNN (Certified Nephrology Nurse) practice exam
WITH CORRECT ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECTLY WELL DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST
ALREADY GRADED A+ (2026/2027)
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating
red blood cell production in chronic kidney disease
patients?
A. Aldosterone
B. Erythropoietin
C. Renin
D. Calcitonin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, which
stimulates bone marrow erythropoiesis. CKD leads to
erythropoietin deficiency and anemia. Aldosterone
regulates sodium/potassium, renin regulates blood
pressure, and calcitonin regulates calcium.
1
,2. The primary function of the glomerulus is to:
A. Reabsorb glucose
B. Filter blood plasma
C. Secrete potassium
D. Concentrate urine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The glomerulus is a capillary network that
performs ultrafiltration of blood, allowing water and
small solutes to pass into Bowman's space. Glucose
reabsorption occurs in the proximal tubule, potassium
secretion in the distal tubule, and urine concentration in
the loop of Henle/collecting duct.
3. A patient with Stage 4 CKD has an eGFR of:
A. >90 mL/min/1.73m²
B. 60-89 mL/min/1.73m²
C. 30-59 mL/min/1.73m²
D. 15-29 mL/min/1.73m²
Correct Answer: D
2
,Rationale: Stage 4 CKD is defined as severe reduction in
GFR (15-29 mL/min). Stage 1 is >90, Stage 2 is 60-89,
Stage 3 is 30-59, and Stage 5 is <15 or dialysis.
4. In metabolic acidosis associated with CKD, the primary
compensatory mechanism is:
A. Increased respiratory rate
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increased renal bicarbonate reabsorption
D. Increased renal ammonia excretion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis triggers respiratory
compensation via hyperventilation to blow off CO2.
Renal compensation is impaired in CKD. Increased
ammonia excretion is a renal response but is already
failing.
5. Which electrolyte disturbance is most commonly seen in
advanced CKD?
A. Hypokalemia
3
, B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypophosphatemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia results from decreased renal
excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia is rare;
hyperphosphatemia and hypermagnesemia also occur,
but hyperkalemia is the most acutely life-threatening
electrolyte disturbance.
6. Uremic pericarditis is best treated with:
A. Pericardiocentesis
B. High-dose corticosteroids
C. Initiation or intensification of dialysis
D. NSAIDs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Uremic pericarditis is an inflammatory
condition caused by uremic toxins. It responds to
4
WITH CORRECT ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECTLY WELL DEFINED ANSWERS LATEST
ALREADY GRADED A+ (2026/2027)
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating
red blood cell production in chronic kidney disease
patients?
A. Aldosterone
B. Erythropoietin
C. Renin
D. Calcitonin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, which
stimulates bone marrow erythropoiesis. CKD leads to
erythropoietin deficiency and anemia. Aldosterone
regulates sodium/potassium, renin regulates blood
pressure, and calcitonin regulates calcium.
1
,2. The primary function of the glomerulus is to:
A. Reabsorb glucose
B. Filter blood plasma
C. Secrete potassium
D. Concentrate urine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The glomerulus is a capillary network that
performs ultrafiltration of blood, allowing water and
small solutes to pass into Bowman's space. Glucose
reabsorption occurs in the proximal tubule, potassium
secretion in the distal tubule, and urine concentration in
the loop of Henle/collecting duct.
3. A patient with Stage 4 CKD has an eGFR of:
A. >90 mL/min/1.73m²
B. 60-89 mL/min/1.73m²
C. 30-59 mL/min/1.73m²
D. 15-29 mL/min/1.73m²
Correct Answer: D
2
,Rationale: Stage 4 CKD is defined as severe reduction in
GFR (15-29 mL/min). Stage 1 is >90, Stage 2 is 60-89,
Stage 3 is 30-59, and Stage 5 is <15 or dialysis.
4. In metabolic acidosis associated with CKD, the primary
compensatory mechanism is:
A. Increased respiratory rate
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increased renal bicarbonate reabsorption
D. Increased renal ammonia excretion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis triggers respiratory
compensation via hyperventilation to blow off CO2.
Renal compensation is impaired in CKD. Increased
ammonia excretion is a renal response but is already
failing.
5. Which electrolyte disturbance is most commonly seen in
advanced CKD?
A. Hypokalemia
3
, B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypophosphatemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia results from decreased renal
excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia is rare;
hyperphosphatemia and hypermagnesemia also occur,
but hyperkalemia is the most acutely life-threatening
electrolyte disturbance.
6. Uremic pericarditis is best treated with:
A. Pericardiocentesis
B. High-dose corticosteroids
C. Initiation or intensification of dialysis
D. NSAIDs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Uremic pericarditis is an inflammatory
condition caused by uremic toxins. It responds to
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