CDN Exam Test Bank 2026: 100 Questions
with Detailed Verified Explanations (NNCC
Blueprint)
**Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN®) | NNCC-aligned practice set
NNCC examination questions. It is aligned to the published
CDN blueprint and designed for 2026 preparation. The current
NNCC information states the blueprint emphasizes . It covers
which includes Concepts of Kidney Disease, Hemodialysis,
Peritoneal Dialysis, and Transplant/Acute Therapies**, with
hemodialysis representing the largest content area.
---
**1. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with
advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD)?**
A. Decreased serum creatinine
B. Increased serum creatinine
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Decreased blood urea nitrogen
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** Progressive loss of functioning nephrons
reduces the kidneys' ability to excrete creatinine, causing
serum creatinine to rise and eGFR to fall.
,---
**2. A patient with CKD has a serum potassium of 6.8 mEq/L
and peaked T waves. What is the nurse's priority?**
A. Encourage oral potassium intake
B. Recheck the potassium in 24 hours
C. Place the patient on cardiac monitoring and initiate
emergency treatment
D. Administer a phosphate binder
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes can
rapidly cause life-threatening dysrhythmias. Immediate
cardiac monitoring and treatment are priorities.
---
**3. Which hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red
blood cell production?**
A. Erythropoietin
B. Renin
,C. Aldosterone
D. Calcitonin
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Renal erythropoietin stimulates the bone
marrow to produce red blood cells. Reduced production
contributes to anemia in CKD.
---
**4. Which finding is commonly associated with uremia?**
A. Bradycardia caused by hypokalemia
B. Increased appetite
C. Excessive urine concentration
D. Nausea, fatigue, and altered mental status
**Answer: D**
**Explanation:** Accumulation of nitrogenous waste products
can produce uremic symptoms including fatigue, nausea,
anorexia, pruritus, and neurologic changes.
---
, **5. A patient with CKD is prescribed a phosphate binder.
When should it generally be taken?**
A. At bedtime only
B. Between meals
C. With meals
D. On an empty stomach
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** Phosphate binders work in the
gastrointestinal tract by binding dietary phosphorus. They are
generally administered with meals or snacks containing
phosphorus.
---
**6. Which electrolyte abnormality is most characteristic of
advanced kidney failure?**
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
with Detailed Verified Explanations (NNCC
Blueprint)
**Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN®) | NNCC-aligned practice set
NNCC examination questions. It is aligned to the published
CDN blueprint and designed for 2026 preparation. The current
NNCC information states the blueprint emphasizes . It covers
which includes Concepts of Kidney Disease, Hemodialysis,
Peritoneal Dialysis, and Transplant/Acute Therapies**, with
hemodialysis representing the largest content area.
---
**1. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with
advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD)?**
A. Decreased serum creatinine
B. Increased serum creatinine
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Decreased blood urea nitrogen
**Answer: B**
**Explanation:** Progressive loss of functioning nephrons
reduces the kidneys' ability to excrete creatinine, causing
serum creatinine to rise and eGFR to fall.
,---
**2. A patient with CKD has a serum potassium of 6.8 mEq/L
and peaked T waves. What is the nurse's priority?**
A. Encourage oral potassium intake
B. Recheck the potassium in 24 hours
C. Place the patient on cardiac monitoring and initiate
emergency treatment
D. Administer a phosphate binder
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes can
rapidly cause life-threatening dysrhythmias. Immediate
cardiac monitoring and treatment are priorities.
---
**3. Which hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red
blood cell production?**
A. Erythropoietin
B. Renin
,C. Aldosterone
D. Calcitonin
**Answer: A**
**Explanation:** Renal erythropoietin stimulates the bone
marrow to produce red blood cells. Reduced production
contributes to anemia in CKD.
---
**4. Which finding is commonly associated with uremia?**
A. Bradycardia caused by hypokalemia
B. Increased appetite
C. Excessive urine concentration
D. Nausea, fatigue, and altered mental status
**Answer: D**
**Explanation:** Accumulation of nitrogenous waste products
can produce uremic symptoms including fatigue, nausea,
anorexia, pruritus, and neurologic changes.
---
, **5. A patient with CKD is prescribed a phosphate binder.
When should it generally be taken?**
A. At bedtime only
B. Between meals
C. With meals
D. On an empty stomach
**Answer: C**
**Explanation:** Phosphate binders work in the
gastrointestinal tract by binding dietary phosphorus. They are
generally administered with meals or snacks containing
phosphorus.
---
**6. Which electrolyte abnormality is most characteristic of
advanced kidney failure?**
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
