Preparing for the CDN exam? A printable CDN practice test PDF lets you review questions, test your knowledge offline, and build the exam readiness that timed, screen-based testing demands. Whether you are studying at home, commuting, or revisiting weak areas on paper, a printed practice test remains one of the most effective preparation formats available. This page provides a free PDF download and a structured study guide for the CDN examination. Practice with the free CDN - Certified Dialysis Nurse practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
The CDN assessment tests candidates on the core competencies required for certification or qualification in the field. A strong preparation strategy combines repeated practice testing with targeted review of areas where accuracy falls below 70%. Use this PDF alongside the online CDN practice tests on this site for the most complete preparation experience — paper for review and annotation, online for timed simulation with instant scoring.
Candidates are tested across the primary knowledge domains that define competency in the CDN field. Each domain contributes a weighted percentage of the total scored questions. High-weight domains deserve proportionally more preparation time. The exam format is typically multiple-choice, and understanding the question structure — identifying the best answer rather than the first correct-sounding one — is as important as content knowledge.
Common high-priority areas include foundational theory, applied practice, regulations or standards governing the field, and scenario-based reasoning that tests judgment under realistic conditions. Review official exam content outlines from the certifying body to confirm current domain weights before your examination date, as content outlines are updated periodically.
Print the PDF, set a timer proportional to the number of questions, and complete each section without reference materials to simulate real exam conditions. After grading, categorize every incorrect answer by domain to build a targeted error log. Prioritize re-study in your weakest domains, then take an additional timed practice session to confirm improvement. Repeat the cycle until accuracy is consistently above 75% across all domains.
Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 150 multiple-choice questions (about 25 unscored pilot items) | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Time limit | 3 hours | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Passing score | About 74% correct | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Exam fee | $350 ($300 for ANNA/ASN/NKF/NOVA members) | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Retake policy | One reduced-rate retake within 1 year | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Validity | 3 years | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Delivery | Computer-based test at a testing center (via C-NET) | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Eligibility | Unrestricted RN license + 2,500 in-center hemodialysis RN hours in 2 years + 30 nephrology CE hours | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Score release | Immediately on completion | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Registration deadline | Year-round; postmark at least 4 weeks before desired test date | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
| Testing window | 90 days from permit issue (one 90-day extension for $125) | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission |
Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Interactive CDN - Certified Dialysis Nurse resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Before attempting practice tests, ensure you have reviewed the official study materials for the CDN exam. Most certifying bodies publish a candidate handbook or content outline that lists exactly what knowledge is tested. Read this document first — it tells you not only what to study but also what to ignore. Allocate study time in proportion to domain weights: spend more time on high-weight domains and less on domains you already know well.
Once you have reviewed the content, move to practice testing. Each practice test session should be treated as a diagnostic: the questions you answer incorrectly are more valuable than the ones you answer correctly. Keep an error log organized by domain. After three to four practice tests, patterns in your errors will become clear. These patterns tell you exactly where to concentrate additional study effort.
In the week before the CDN exam, focus on review rather than new learning. Take one full-length timed practice test to confirm readiness, then spend the remaining days reviewing your error log and reinforcing the concepts behind your most common mistakes. Avoid cramming new material in the final 48 hours — consolidation of existing knowledge is more valuable at that stage than attempting to add new content.
After completing this PDF, take full online CDN practice tests at CDN practice test — instant scoring with explanations for every answer. Use both formats together: this PDF for offline review and annotation, the online tests for timed simulation with immediate feedback. Together they give you the most complete CDN exam preparation available on a single platform.
Try these questions from our free CDN - Certified Dialysis Nurse practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
If Ms. Precy's spouse is disease-free, she queries the nurse as to the likelihood that any children may contract the illness. Should the nurse tell the patient that a child will?
Answer: B. Have a 50% risk of developing the disease
An autosomal dominant illness called polycystic kidney disease typically doesn't manifest until the third or fourth decade of life. Both kidneys are affected, and the cortex and medulla swell with many, sizable cysts that eat away at the kidney tissue.
Which infection control practice is most effective in reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections in dialysis patients?
Answer: B. Strict hand hygiene and aseptic technique during catheter access
Consistent hand hygiene and aseptic technique during every catheter access are the most evidence-based and cost-effective interventions for preventing CRBSIs.
What does the peritoneal equilibration test measure?
Answer: B. Determine the amount of glucose absorbed from dialysate and the amount of urea and creatinine filtered into the dialysate in a 4-hour dwell.
This is one way to gauge how well peritoneal dialysis is working. Due to their potential for rapid glucose absorption and potential requirement for shorter stay durations, patients with high rate of transport may also benefit from this test's ability to detect them. The patient could require a longer dwell time or more exchanges if not enough urea and creatinine are being filtered.
When assessing for adequate anticoagulation during hemodialysis with heparin, which test is MOST commonly used bedside?
Answer: B. Activated Clotting Time (ACT)
The Activated Clotting Time (ACT) is a rapid bedside test used to monitor heparin anticoagulation during hemodialysis, with target typically 150–250 seconds.