Certified Dialysis Nurse Test Review
Questions and Answers Updated
2026
Deferoxamine (Desferal) - AnswerThe nurse caring for a dialysis patient with known aluminum
overload should be prepared to administer which medication during the latter part of the dialysis
treatment to help correct this abnormality?
Overdose of diuretics, Toxic exposure to pesticides. - AnswerWhat are the likely reasons that a
patient would be prescribed hemoperfusion?
most sedatives, theophylline, digoxin, and some pesticides and herbicides.
Charcoal may be used in association with deferoxamine chelation to remove excess aluminum or iron
from body tissues. - AnswerHemoperfusion is more effective than hemodialysis for removal of
- tissues are often edematous and extremely friable.
- Patients with infections and rejection are almost always catabolic, edematous, and
hypoproteinemic.
-Cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular systems often labile, and hypotension or cardiac dysrhythmias
and pulmonary congestion should be anticipated. - AnswerWhen caring for a patient who is
experiencing a severe transplant rejection, what complications should the nurse anticipate?
The most common adverse effect is skin rash.
This solution should be used for no more than one exchange in a 24-hour period. - AnswerWhen
educating a peritoneal dialysis patient about the prescribed icodextrin solution, which teaching
points should the nurse include?
- measure the volume of dialysate to be infused,
- warm the dialysate to body temperature before infusion,
- time the frequency of exchanges,
- count the number of exchanges
- measure UF. - AnswerWhich teaching points must be mastered by patients before they can perform
their automated peritoneal dialysis at home?
,- Infusion of a small amount of heparinized saline solution every 4-8 hours for the first 1-3 days
postoperatively.
- Low volume in and out exchanges with heparinized saline or dialysate until the effluent is no longer
bloody. then daily for 1 to 2 weeks, and weekly thereafter until the patient is undergoing PD. - A
small volume of heparinized solution should remain in the peritoneum to inhibit the formation of
fibrin
-immediate dialysis need: Frequent, low-volume exchanges (500-1000 mL) are performed using a
cycler with the patient in the supine position. - AnswerDuring the period called catheter break-in,
when the peritoneal dialysis catheter is placed and healing has begun, the nurse should anticipate
which prescribed dialysis orders?
rapid waste clearance, poor UF of fluid, high glucose absorption, and high protein loss. - AnswerA
high PET score means
slow waste clearance, excellent UF of fluid, and decreased likelihood of protein loss. - AnswerA low
PET score means
Immediate Medicare coverage.
Greater blood pressure control.
Preservation of residual kidney function.
Greater independence for travel and employment. - AnswerWhen a patient is deciding between
peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, what are some of the benefits the staff can share regarding
quality-of-life benefits related to PD?
The patient is malnourished.
Extreme pruritus to the point of scratching and bleeding.
Pericardial rub noted due to pericarditis from uremia.
Moist rales heard in the mid-scapular region bilaterally. - AnswerWhich manifestations might lead
the clinician to believe that a patient on PD requires an increased dose of dialysis?
• Active chronic infection or sepsis
• Active malignancy
• Active substance abuse
• Severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
• Inability to comply with the medication regimen - AnswerAbsolute Contraindications to
Transplantation
, Irritability.
Yawning frequently.
Fidgety movements noted. - AnswerThe dialysis nurse should suspect the toddler weighing less than
20 kg. is experiencing hypotension if these clinical manifestations are present:
Anemia in CKD.
Blood pressure in CKD.
Diabetes and CKD. - AnswerIn which areas of care has the nonprofit foundation Kidney Disease
Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) provided written evidence-based guidelines related to the
prevention or management of kidney disease?
2019 - National Dialysis Accreditation Commission (NDAC). - AnswerWhich organization was recently
approved by CMS to conduct surveys for Medicare certification fostering faster approval of dialysis
clinics?
Hypotension.
Cramping. - AnswerWhen caring for a patient on dialysis, if the dialysate solution contains too little
sodium, the water may shift into the patient's blood cells, causing which signs or symptoms?
700-1,000 mL of water. - AnswerHow much water is typically lost through evaporation from the lungs
and insensible perspiration every day?
"If nephrons are damaged, they do not regenerate." - AnswerA patient with renal failure asks the
dialysis nurse if his kidney will regenerate. How does the nurse answer?
"It is likely the proximal tubule and collecting ducts are damaged." - AnswerA dialysis patient asks,
"Which part of my kidney is causing my problem with water reabsorption?" What is the proper
response?
"Control your blood glucose levels if you are a diabetic."
"Maintain a healthy weight."
"Control cholesterol levels." - AnswerThe patient asks if there is anything she can do to slow or delay
the progression of her kidney disease. Which modifiable risk factors could the nurse mention?
Questions and Answers Updated
2026
Deferoxamine (Desferal) - AnswerThe nurse caring for a dialysis patient with known aluminum
overload should be prepared to administer which medication during the latter part of the dialysis
treatment to help correct this abnormality?
Overdose of diuretics, Toxic exposure to pesticides. - AnswerWhat are the likely reasons that a
patient would be prescribed hemoperfusion?
most sedatives, theophylline, digoxin, and some pesticides and herbicides.
Charcoal may be used in association with deferoxamine chelation to remove excess aluminum or iron
from body tissues. - AnswerHemoperfusion is more effective than hemodialysis for removal of
- tissues are often edematous and extremely friable.
- Patients with infections and rejection are almost always catabolic, edematous, and
hypoproteinemic.
-Cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular systems often labile, and hypotension or cardiac dysrhythmias
and pulmonary congestion should be anticipated. - AnswerWhen caring for a patient who is
experiencing a severe transplant rejection, what complications should the nurse anticipate?
The most common adverse effect is skin rash.
This solution should be used for no more than one exchange in a 24-hour period. - AnswerWhen
educating a peritoneal dialysis patient about the prescribed icodextrin solution, which teaching
points should the nurse include?
- measure the volume of dialysate to be infused,
- warm the dialysate to body temperature before infusion,
- time the frequency of exchanges,
- count the number of exchanges
- measure UF. - AnswerWhich teaching points must be mastered by patients before they can perform
their automated peritoneal dialysis at home?
,- Infusion of a small amount of heparinized saline solution every 4-8 hours for the first 1-3 days
postoperatively.
- Low volume in and out exchanges with heparinized saline or dialysate until the effluent is no longer
bloody. then daily for 1 to 2 weeks, and weekly thereafter until the patient is undergoing PD. - A
small volume of heparinized solution should remain in the peritoneum to inhibit the formation of
fibrin
-immediate dialysis need: Frequent, low-volume exchanges (500-1000 mL) are performed using a
cycler with the patient in the supine position. - AnswerDuring the period called catheter break-in,
when the peritoneal dialysis catheter is placed and healing has begun, the nurse should anticipate
which prescribed dialysis orders?
rapid waste clearance, poor UF of fluid, high glucose absorption, and high protein loss. - AnswerA
high PET score means
slow waste clearance, excellent UF of fluid, and decreased likelihood of protein loss. - AnswerA low
PET score means
Immediate Medicare coverage.
Greater blood pressure control.
Preservation of residual kidney function.
Greater independence for travel and employment. - AnswerWhen a patient is deciding between
peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, what are some of the benefits the staff can share regarding
quality-of-life benefits related to PD?
The patient is malnourished.
Extreme pruritus to the point of scratching and bleeding.
Pericardial rub noted due to pericarditis from uremia.
Moist rales heard in the mid-scapular region bilaterally. - AnswerWhich manifestations might lead
the clinician to believe that a patient on PD requires an increased dose of dialysis?
• Active chronic infection or sepsis
• Active malignancy
• Active substance abuse
• Severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
• Inability to comply with the medication regimen - AnswerAbsolute Contraindications to
Transplantation
, Irritability.
Yawning frequently.
Fidgety movements noted. - AnswerThe dialysis nurse should suspect the toddler weighing less than
20 kg. is experiencing hypotension if these clinical manifestations are present:
Anemia in CKD.
Blood pressure in CKD.
Diabetes and CKD. - AnswerIn which areas of care has the nonprofit foundation Kidney Disease
Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) provided written evidence-based guidelines related to the
prevention or management of kidney disease?
2019 - National Dialysis Accreditation Commission (NDAC). - AnswerWhich organization was recently
approved by CMS to conduct surveys for Medicare certification fostering faster approval of dialysis
clinics?
Hypotension.
Cramping. - AnswerWhen caring for a patient on dialysis, if the dialysate solution contains too little
sodium, the water may shift into the patient's blood cells, causing which signs or symptoms?
700-1,000 mL of water. - AnswerHow much water is typically lost through evaporation from the lungs
and insensible perspiration every day?
"If nephrons are damaged, they do not regenerate." - AnswerA patient with renal failure asks the
dialysis nurse if his kidney will regenerate. How does the nurse answer?
"It is likely the proximal tubule and collecting ducts are damaged." - AnswerA dialysis patient asks,
"Which part of my kidney is causing my problem with water reabsorption?" What is the proper
response?
"Control your blood glucose levels if you are a diabetic."
"Maintain a healthy weight."
"Control cholesterol levels." - AnswerThe patient asks if there is anything she can do to slow or delay
the progression of her kidney disease. Which modifiable risk factors could the nurse mention?
