Certified Nephrology Nurse Certification (CNN) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

Individuals who are older and those with diabetes are recognized as having a significantly increased risk for developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As people age, the natural decline in kidney function paired with the prevalence of comorbidities, particularly diabetes, contributes to a higher incidence of kidney failure. Diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, can lead to diabetic nephropathy, a condition that often progresses to ESRD if not managed appropriately.

Older adults may also face additional challenges that compound the risk, such as increased vascular stiffness, lower kidney reserve, and greater likelihood of multiple chronic conditions, all of which can adversely affect kidney health. Consequently, the combination of age and diabetes places this population at a markedly elevated risk for progressing to ESRD compared to other groups.

In contrast, young adults with hypertension may have a risk for developing kidney issues, but the population is generally less affected by the long-term complications that lead to ESRD compared to older adults with diabetes. Pediatric patients with kidney disorders, while certainly at risk for renal complications, typically do not have the same prevalence of ESRD as older adults facing the chronic effects of diabetes. Lastly, while athletes consuming high protein diets might experience particular kidney strain, the connection to ESRD is