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

Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by a specific set of clinical features that stem from the underlying pathology of kidney damage. The correct answer identifies the hallmark signs of nephrotic syndrome, which include edema, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia.

Edema occurs due to the loss of proteins in the urine; when significant amounts of albumin are lost, there is a drop in the oncotic pressure of the blood, leading to fluid accumulation in tissues. This results in noticeable swelling, typically in the legs and around the eyes.

Proteinuria, which is the presence of excess proteins in the urine, is a defining characteristic of nephrotic syndrome. Normally, the kidneys filter small amounts of protein but allow larger proteins like albumin to remain in the bloodstream. In nephrotic syndrome, the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier is compromised, leading to the loss of large proteins.

Hypoalbuminemia is the consequence of significant protein loss through the urine. As albumin levels decrease in the blood, it contributes further to edema as well as a range of metabolic disturbances.

Hyperlipidemia, or elevated levels of lipids in the blood, often occurs as a compensatory mechanism in response to low levels