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

The correct term that describes the process by which the kidneys concentrate urine is antidiuresis. During antidiuresis, the body conserves water by concentrating urine, which is primarily regulated by the hormone vasopressin (also known as antidiuretic hormone or ADH). When the body is dehydrated or when there is a need to retain water, ADH levels increase, prompting the kidneys to reabsorb more water from the filtrate back into the bloodstream, resulting in more concentrated urine.

In contrast, diuresis refers to the increased production of urine and usually occurs when the body has excess fluid or is trying to eliminate waste. Osmosis describes the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to one of higher solute concentration; while it plays a role in the kidney's ability to reabsorb water, it is not the term that specifically characterizes the concentrating mechanism. Ultrafiltration is the initial process in kidney function where blood plasma is filtered at the glomerulus but does not imply concentration of urine, which occurs later during the reabsorption stages in the nephron.