Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) Study Guide 2026-2027
Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) Study Guide 2026-2027
Complete CDN Exam Prep with Practice Tests, Clinical Scenarios, and Detailed Rationales
By Capra Academy · Published May 12, 2026 · 326 pages
About This Book
Comprehensive preparation for the CDN exam covering kidney disease, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis principles, patient assessment and vascular access, dialysis complications and fluid management, infection control and water treatment, medication management and nutrition, and professional practice. Includes practice tests with detailed rationales.
What’s Inside
- Practice Exams with Detailed Rationales
- Hemodialysis & Peritoneal Dialysis
- Patient Assessment & Vascular Access
- Dialysis Complications & Fluid Management
- Infection Control & Water Treatment
- Medication Management & Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CDN certification?
The CDN (Certified Dialysis Nurse) is administered by the NNCC (Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission). It validates specialized knowledge in dialysis care including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and related nephrology nursing.
How many questions are on the CDN exam?
The CDN exam has 150 questions with a 3-hour time limit. The passing score is 95 (approximately 70% correct). The exam costs $350 standard or $300 for ANNA/ASN/NKF/NOVA members.
What is the difference between CDN and CNN?
CDN is for nurses focused on dialysis care; CNN (Certified Nephrology Nurse) covers broader nephrology nursing including pre-dialysis, dialysis, and post-transplant care. Both require 2,000 hours of nephrology experience.
What study materials are recommended for CDN?
Core references include Contemporary Nephrology Nursing (4th ed., 2022), Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing (7th ed., 2020), and Nephrology Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (9th ed., 2022). NNCC also offers a free Certification Preparation Guide and a $50 online practice exam.
Related Resources
CDN Resource Hub
Planning Your Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) Preparation
Who this exam information is for
This page is for candidates considering or actively preparing for the Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN). Use the linked exam resources to understand the credential, organize preparation, and identify the official requirements that must be confirmed before applying.
What to verify before scheduling
- Current eligibility and application documentation
- Current examination blueprint and domain weights
- Fees, testing windows, identification, and accommodation rules
- Question format, time limit, scoring, and score-report process
- Retake, renewal, and continuing-education policies
A practical study strategy
Begin with the current official content outline. Rank every domain by both blueprint weight and personal confidence, then spend the most time where high weight and low confidence overlap. Use practice questions diagnostically: record the tested domain, why the correct answer is best, why each distractor is weaker, and what source resolves any uncertainty.
Strengths and limitations of this study guide
The Capra Academy guide is designed to combine structured review with practice and answer explanations, making it useful for identifying weak areas and rehearsing exam-style decisions. It is a study aid—not the certifying organization’s candidate handbook, not a guarantee of a passing result, and not a substitute for current official eligibility or policy information. Requirements can change, so follow the official sources linked throughout this resource cluster.