CCTN Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CCTN exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CCTN Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CCTN Topics to Study (33)
✍️ Sample CCTN Questions & Answers
1. Which viral infection is the most common opportunistic infection in solid organ transplant recipients?
CMV is the most prevalent opportunistic viral infection post-transplant due to immunosuppression, often presenting 1–3 months after transplant.
2. Which side effect is most associated with long-term tacrolimus use in transplant recipients?
Long-term tacrolimus use commonly causes nephrotoxicity and hypertension, both of which require ongoing monitoring in transplant recipients.
3. A deceased-donor organ allocation nurse receives a kidney offer for a highly sensitized patient with a panel reactive antibody (PRA) of 98%. What is the MOST critical pre-transplant test to perform?
In highly sensitized recipients, a virtual or prospective crossmatch is critical to detect donor-specific antibodies (DSA) that could cause hyperacute rejection.
4. Which term describes the phenomenon where a transplanted kidney does not function immediately after transplantation, requiring temporary dialysis?
Delayed graft function (DGF) is when a transplanted kidney requires dialysis in the first week post-transplant, often due to ischemia-reperfusion injury.
5. A transplant nurse is educating a renal transplant patient about food safety. Which of the following instructions is MOST appropriate?
Immunosuppressed transplant recipients are at high risk for foodborne illness from pathogens like Listeria and Vibrio, making raw shellfish and undercooked meats dangerous.
6. What does 'first-person consent' mean in the context of organ donation in the US?
First-person consent means a person's registered decision to donate is legally binding and cannot be overridden by family, though family collaboration is still encouraged.