Certified Nephrology Nurse Certification (CNN) Practice Exam

Weight gain is an important assessment finding that can indicate fluid overload in a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In CKD, the kidneys are unable to properly filter excess fluid and waste, leading to retention of fluid within the body. When fluid retention occurs, patients may experience an increase in body weight due to both retained fluid and sodium.

Tracking weight change is particularly significant in monitoring patients with CKD because it can signal shifts in their fluid balance. For instance, a sudden increase in weight over a short period—especially when accompanied by other signs of fluid overload, such as edema or difficulty breathing—can prompt further evaluation and potential intervention.

In contrast, increased appetite, elevated blood pressure, and decreased urine output can be related to various factors in CKD but are not as directly indicative of fluid overload. Increased appetite may reflect other dietary changes or management strategies unrelated to fluid balance. Elevated blood pressure can occur in patients with CKD due to multiple underlying mechanisms, including fluid status or vascular health, but does not directly serve as a standalone indicator for fluid overload. Decreased urine output can indeed signal worsening kidney function but may not by itself indicate fluid overload, as some patients can still retain excess fluid even if their urine output is reduced. Thus,