CDN EXAM 2026 - COMPLETE TEST BANK WITH 150
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
CDN EXAM 2026
Complete 150-Question Practice Test Bank
Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) — Exam-Style Preparation
Resource
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Study Resource Positioning
Verified A+ Notes | Updated 2026/2027 | Exam Success Resources
Table of Contents
1. Introduction — Questions 1–20
2. Core Concepts — Questions 21–70
3. Applied Scenarios — Questions 71–110
4. Critical Thinking — Questions 111–135
5. Review Questions — Questions 136–150
6. Answer and Rationale Guide
Section I — Introduction
Questions 1–20
Question 1
Which vascular access is generally considered the preferred long-term hemodialysis access when
feasible?
A. Tunneled central venous catheter
B. Arteriovenous fistula
,C. Temporary non-tunneled catheter
D. Peripheral IV catheter
Correct answer: B. Arteriovenous fistula
Rationale: An arteriovenous fistula generally provides durable vascular access with lower
infection and thrombosis risks than central venous catheters. Appropriate patient assessment and
vascular preservation are essential before and after creation of the access.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. To permanently restore kidney function
B. To remove selected metabolic waste products and excess fluid from the blood
C. To increase endogenous erythropoietin production
D. To eliminate the need for dietary management
Correct answer: B. To remove selected metabolic waste products and excess fluid from the
blood
Rationale: Hemodialysis uses a semipermeable membrane and dialysate to facilitate removal of
solutes and fluid. It replaces some, but not all, functions of healthy kidneys and does not restore
native renal function.
Question 3
Which substance is normally present at a higher concentration in dialysate than in the patient's
plasma to promote movement into the blood?
A. Urea
B. Creatinine
C. Bicarbonate
D. Potassium
Correct answer: C. Bicarbonate
Rationale: Dialysate is formulated to provide appropriate concentrations of electrolytes and
buffers. Bicarbonate is supplied to help correct the metabolic acidosis associated with kidney
failure.
Question 4
Which assessment is particularly important immediately before initiating hemodialysis?
A. Visual acuity
B. Vascular-access assessment
,C. Hearing assessment
D. Dental examination
Correct answer: B. Vascular-access assessment
Rationale: The dialysis nurse should assess the access for patency, infection, bleeding,
aneurysmal changes, and other complications before cannulation or catheter use.
Question 5
What does an arteriovenous fistula connect?
A. Two veins
B. An artery and a vein
C. Two arteries
D. A vein and a lymphatic vessel
Correct answer: B. An artery and a vein
Rationale: A surgically created connection between an artery and vein allows arterial blood flow
to enlarge and strengthen the vein, making it suitable for repeated dialysis cannulation.
Question 6
Which finding is most concerning for infection of a dialysis vascular access?
A. Palpable thrill
B. Audible bruit
C. Localized redness, warmth, and purulent drainage
D. Mild skin discoloration from an old bruise
Correct answer: C. Localized redness, warmth, and purulent drainage
Rationale: Redness, warmth, tenderness, and purulent drainage are classic warning signs of
infection and require prompt assessment and intervention.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of anticoagulation during conventional hemodialysis?
A. To lower blood pressure
B. To prevent clot formation in the extracorporeal circuit
C. To increase hemoglobin
D. To increase dialysate flow
Correct answer: B. To prevent clot formation in the extracorporeal circuit
Rationale: Blood contacts artificial surfaces in the extracorporeal circuit, activating coagulation.
Anticoagulation reduces circuit clotting and helps maintain effective treatment.
, Question 8
Which laboratory value is particularly important when evaluating potassium balance in a patient
receiving hemodialysis?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum albumin only
C. Hemoglobin only
D. White blood cell count only
Correct answer: A. Serum potassium
Rationale: Kidney failure substantially impairs potassium excretion. Both hyperkalemia and
overly rapid potassium removal can create clinically important cardiac risks.
Question 9
What is ultrafiltration?
A. Movement of solutes down a concentration gradient
B. Removal of water across a semipermeable membrane through a pressure gradient
C. Movement of proteins into dialysate
D. Conversion of urea into creatinine
Correct answer: B. Removal of water across a semipermeable membrane through a pressure
gradient
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes plasma water through transmembrane pressure. The
prescribed ultrafiltration goal should be individualized to the patient's fluid status and treatment
plan.
Question 10
Which symptom can indicate intradialytic hypotension?
A. Dizziness
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia in every case
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: A. Dizziness
Rationale: A fall in blood pressure during dialysis may cause dizziness, nausea, cramping,
weakness, or altered consciousness. Prompt assessment is required.
Question 11
Why is pre-dialysis weight routinely measured?
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
CDN EXAM 2026
Complete 150-Question Practice Test Bank
Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) — Exam-Style Preparation
Resource
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Study Resource Positioning
Verified A+ Notes | Updated 2026/2027 | Exam Success Resources
Table of Contents
1. Introduction — Questions 1–20
2. Core Concepts — Questions 21–70
3. Applied Scenarios — Questions 71–110
4. Critical Thinking — Questions 111–135
5. Review Questions — Questions 136–150
6. Answer and Rationale Guide
Section I — Introduction
Questions 1–20
Question 1
Which vascular access is generally considered the preferred long-term hemodialysis access when
feasible?
A. Tunneled central venous catheter
B. Arteriovenous fistula
,C. Temporary non-tunneled catheter
D. Peripheral IV catheter
Correct answer: B. Arteriovenous fistula
Rationale: An arteriovenous fistula generally provides durable vascular access with lower
infection and thrombosis risks than central venous catheters. Appropriate patient assessment and
vascular preservation are essential before and after creation of the access.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. To permanently restore kidney function
B. To remove selected metabolic waste products and excess fluid from the blood
C. To increase endogenous erythropoietin production
D. To eliminate the need for dietary management
Correct answer: B. To remove selected metabolic waste products and excess fluid from the
blood
Rationale: Hemodialysis uses a semipermeable membrane and dialysate to facilitate removal of
solutes and fluid. It replaces some, but not all, functions of healthy kidneys and does not restore
native renal function.
Question 3
Which substance is normally present at a higher concentration in dialysate than in the patient's
plasma to promote movement into the blood?
A. Urea
B. Creatinine
C. Bicarbonate
D. Potassium
Correct answer: C. Bicarbonate
Rationale: Dialysate is formulated to provide appropriate concentrations of electrolytes and
buffers. Bicarbonate is supplied to help correct the metabolic acidosis associated with kidney
failure.
Question 4
Which assessment is particularly important immediately before initiating hemodialysis?
A. Visual acuity
B. Vascular-access assessment
,C. Hearing assessment
D. Dental examination
Correct answer: B. Vascular-access assessment
Rationale: The dialysis nurse should assess the access for patency, infection, bleeding,
aneurysmal changes, and other complications before cannulation or catheter use.
Question 5
What does an arteriovenous fistula connect?
A. Two veins
B. An artery and a vein
C. Two arteries
D. A vein and a lymphatic vessel
Correct answer: B. An artery and a vein
Rationale: A surgically created connection between an artery and vein allows arterial blood flow
to enlarge and strengthen the vein, making it suitable for repeated dialysis cannulation.
Question 6
Which finding is most concerning for infection of a dialysis vascular access?
A. Palpable thrill
B. Audible bruit
C. Localized redness, warmth, and purulent drainage
D. Mild skin discoloration from an old bruise
Correct answer: C. Localized redness, warmth, and purulent drainage
Rationale: Redness, warmth, tenderness, and purulent drainage are classic warning signs of
infection and require prompt assessment and intervention.
Question 7
What is the primary purpose of anticoagulation during conventional hemodialysis?
A. To lower blood pressure
B. To prevent clot formation in the extracorporeal circuit
C. To increase hemoglobin
D. To increase dialysate flow
Correct answer: B. To prevent clot formation in the extracorporeal circuit
Rationale: Blood contacts artificial surfaces in the extracorporeal circuit, activating coagulation.
Anticoagulation reduces circuit clotting and helps maintain effective treatment.
, Question 8
Which laboratory value is particularly important when evaluating potassium balance in a patient
receiving hemodialysis?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum albumin only
C. Hemoglobin only
D. White blood cell count only
Correct answer: A. Serum potassium
Rationale: Kidney failure substantially impairs potassium excretion. Both hyperkalemia and
overly rapid potassium removal can create clinically important cardiac risks.
Question 9
What is ultrafiltration?
A. Movement of solutes down a concentration gradient
B. Removal of water across a semipermeable membrane through a pressure gradient
C. Movement of proteins into dialysate
D. Conversion of urea into creatinine
Correct answer: B. Removal of water across a semipermeable membrane through a pressure
gradient
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes plasma water through transmembrane pressure. The
prescribed ultrafiltration goal should be individualized to the patient's fluid status and treatment
plan.
Question 10
Which symptom can indicate intradialytic hypotension?
A. Dizziness
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia in every case
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: A. Dizziness
Rationale: A fall in blood pressure during dialysis may cause dizziness, nausea, cramping,
weakness, or altered consciousness. Prompt assessment is required.
Question 11
Why is pre-dialysis weight routinely measured?
