Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) Exam

1. Question 1 · The Concepts of Renal Failure

   Which primary function of the kidney directly regulates blood pressure?
   • A.Vitamin D activation
   • B.Urea excretion
   • C.Renin secretion
   • D.Bicarbonate reabsorption
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: C. Renin secretion

   Renin secretion activates the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, which plays a key role in blood pressure regulation.

2. Question 2 · The Concepts of Renal Failure

   Renal osteodystrophy is primarily related to imbalance of:
   • A.Sodium and water
   • B.Glucose and insulin
   • C.Potassium and chloride
   • D.Calcium and phosphorus
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Calcium and phosphorus

   Impaired phosphate excretion and altered calcium metabolism lead to bone disease.

3. Question 3 · Hemodialysis

   The dialyzer is often referred to as the:
   • A.Blood pump
   • B.Ultrafiltration unit
   • C.Vascular access
   • D.Artificial kidney
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Artificial kidney

   The dialyzer performs the filtration functions of the kidney.

4. Question 4 · Peritoneal Dialysis

   The primary purpose of a PD catheter is to:
   • A.Measure intra-abdominal pressure
   • B.Provide dialysate inflow and outflow
   • C.Monitor glucose levels
   • D.Prevent infection
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Provide dialysate inflow and outflow

   The catheter allows dialysate to enter and exit the peritoneal cavity.

5. Question 5 · Transplantation

   The primary purpose of tissue typing before transplantation is to:
   • A.Reduce rejection risk
   • B.Assess infection risk
   • C.Determine kidney size
   • D.Evaluate renal function
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: A. Reduce rejection risk

   Tissue typing improves donor–recipient compatibility and lowers rejection likelihood.

6. Question 6 · Transplantation

   Which kidney function is responsible for maintaining serum pH within normal range?
   • A.Sodium excretion
   • B.Glucose filtration
   • C.Hydrogen ion secretion
   • D.Protein synthesis
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: C. Hydrogen ion secretion

   The kidneys regulate acid–base balance by secreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate.

7. Question 7 · The Concepts of Renal Failure

   Renal osteodystrophy is caused by impaired regulation of:
   • A.Sodium and water
   • B.Calcium and phosphorus
   • C.Glucose and insulin
   • D.Potassium and chloride
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Calcium and phosphorus

   Kidney failure disrupts calcium–phosphorus balance.

8. Question 8 · Hemodialysis

   The dialyzer functions as the:
   • A.Vascular access
   • B.Artificial kidney
   • C.Blood reservoir
   • D.Anticoagulant chamber
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Artificial kidney

   The dialyzer replaces filtration functions of the kidney.

9. Question 9 · Peritoneal Dialysis

   The PD catheter is surgically placed to:
   • A.Measure intra-abdominal pressure
   • B.Provide dialysate access
   • C.Drain ascitic fluid
   • D.Monitor glucose levels
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. Provide dialysate access

   The catheter enables inflow and outflow of dialysate.

10. Question 10 · Transplantation

    The goal of tissue typing is to minimize:
    • A.Immune-mediated rejection
    • B.Dialysis duration
    • C.Surgical time
    • D.Postoperative pain
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A. Immune-mediated rejection

    Better tissue matching reduces immune response against the graft.

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