CNeph(C) Nephrology Nursing study guide
CNeph(C) Nephrology Nursing · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The CNeph(C) is a Canadian specialty certification in nephrology nursing, awarded to registered nurses who demonstrate advanced knowledge and judgment in caring for people with kidney disease across the care continuum. It is intended for nurses working in hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplant, chronic kidney disease clinics, and acute nephrology settings who want independent verification of specialty competence beyond entry-level licensure. The CNeph(C) Nephrology Nursing study guide has 11 sections and about 3,467 words.
01Renal Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
Know the nephron segment by segment: glomerulus (filtration barrier of fenestrated endothelium, basement membrane, podocyte slits), proximal tubule (bulk reabsorption of sodium, water, glucose, amino acids, bicarbonate), loop of Henle (countercurrent multiplier; thick ascending limb is impermeable to water and drives the dilute/concentrated urine switch), distal convoluted tubule (thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride reabsorption, calcium handling), and collecting duct (aldosterone and ADH action, final potassium and acid handling). Understand the two capillary beds and why glomerular pressure differs from peritubular pressure.
365 words, about 2 min02Assessment and Management of the Person with Chronic Kidney Disease
Understand CKD definition (abnormal kidney structure or function persisting beyond three months) and staging by GFR category and albuminuria category, because risk and referral depend on both. Track trends rather than single values: creatinine, estimated GFR, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, potassium, bicarbonate, calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, hemoglobin, and iron studies.
340 words, about 2 min03Acute Kidney Injury and Critical Care Nephrology
Know the KDIGO-style criteria: a rise in serum creatinine over baseline within a defined interval and/or reduced urine output over hours. Classify by cause (prerenal, intrinsic including tubular, interstitial, glomerular, vascular, and postrenal obstruction) and by stage, because stage drives monitoring intensity.
322 words, about 2 min04Hemodialysis: Vascular Access, Equipment, and Treatment
Compare arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft, and central venous catheter. Fistulas have the best patency and lowest infection risk but need maturation; grafts mature faster with higher failure and infection risk; catheters carry the highest infection and thrombosis risk and should be temporary or a last resort.
319 words, about 2 min05Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis uses the peritoneum as a semipermeable membrane. Solute removal occurs by diffusion down concentration gradients; water removal occurs by osmosis, chiefly from dextrose in the dialysate.
315 words, about 2 min06Transplantation
Understand pretransplant evaluation: cardiovascular risk, infection screening, malignancy history, psychosocial readiness, and immunologic compatibility (ABO blood type and human leukocyte antigen matching). Know living versus deceased donation, and the concepts of brain death and donation after circulatory death.
292 words, about 1 min07Pharmacology and Medication Management in Nephrology
Understand how reduced clearance affects drug accumulation and toxicity. Estimate kidney function for dosing, and recognize that some drugs require loading doses that are unchanged while maintenance doses are reduced.
309 words, about 2 min08Nutrition, Fluid, and Electrolyte Management
Understand protein-energy wasting in kidney disease and the balance between adequate protein and controlling nitrogenous waste. In hemodialysis, protein needs are higher because of losses during treatment; in peritoneal dialysis, glucose absorption adds calories.
315 words, about 2 min09Infection Prevention and Control
Dialysis and transplant patients are immunocompromised by uremia, malnutrition, vascular access, and immunosuppressive drugs. Understand standard precautions, hand hygiene, and aseptic technique for catheter and access care.
312 words, about 2 min10Patient Education, Self-Management, and Psychosocial Support
Use teach-back to confirm understanding. Educate on medication adherence, dietary limits, fluid goals, access care, symptom recognition, and when to call the team.
286 words, about 1 min11Professional Practice, Ethics, and Safety
Apply autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and veracity to nephrology scenarios. Support informed consent for dialysis, access procedures, and transplantation.
292 words, about 1 min