Certified Nephrology Nurse Certification (CNN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Nephrology Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

The two main types of dialysis used for renal replacement therapy are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis involves the use of a machine and a dialyzer, which acts as an artificial kidney to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood. This process typically occurs in a dialysis center but can also be done at home with appropriate training.

Peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, uses the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) as the filter. A special dialysis solution is introduced into the abdomen, where it absorbs waste products and excess fluids. After a designated time, the solution is drained away, taking the wastes with it. This method can be done at home and offers patients more flexibility and independence.

Other options mentioned, such as cycler dialysis and nocturnal dialysis, refer to specific methods or schedules for delivering dialysis and do not represent the fundamental types of dialysis. Continuous renal replacement therapy is a specialized form generally applied in acute settings rather than the routine maintenance types of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Thus, the distinction clearly rests with the two primary types: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.