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

Fatigue is a common symptom indicating the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to the accumulating toxins in the blood that the kidneys are no longer effectively filtering out. As kidney function declines, the body may struggle to maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance, leading to a buildup of waste products. This accumulation can result in symptoms such as fatigue, which is often reported by patients as a lack of energy or a sense of overall tiredness. Additionally, anemia, frequently seen in patients with CKD due to decreased erythropoietin production by the kidneys, can also contribute significantly to feelings of fatigue.

In contrast, dehydration and excessive thirst usually relate more to a state of fluid imbalance rather than directly indicating CKD progression. While shortness of breath can arise from fluid overload or anemia associated with CKD, it is not as directly linked to the progressive nature of the disease as fatigue is. Fatigue represents a broader systemic effect of the body's struggle with declining kidney function and the consequences of toxin accumulation.