Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Study Guide 2026
Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) Study Guide is a comprehensive, independent preparation resource for candidates pursuing the CHT certification administered by BONENT (Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology) or the NNCC (Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission). This 170-page guide is written for patient care technicians, dialysis clinic staff, and allied health professionals who want to master the clinical science, technical competencies, and patient care skills tested on the CHT examination. Whether you are a new dialysis technician completing your clinical training hours or an experienced technician formalizing your credentials, this book delivers the focused preparation you need. This study guide is independently published and is not affiliated with BONENT, NNCC, or any dialysis provider organization.
The guide opens with Part I: Foundations of Renal Science, building the essential knowledge base that underpins every aspect of hemodialysis practice. Chapter 1 covers the Anatomy of the Kidney in clinical detail, including gross anatomy and organ orientation, renal blood supply and the unique portal circulation of the nephron, the structure and function of each nephron segment, clinical connections between anatomical structures and common renal pathologies, and the glomerular filtration barrier " the critical structure whose failure leads patients to dialysis. Chapter 2 addresses Kidney Physiology, walking you through the three core processes of urine formation (filtration, reabsorption, and secretion), the endocrine functions of the kidney including erythropoietin and vitamin D activation, and a vital integrative section on what dialysis must replace when native kidney function is lost. Subsequent parts cover the principles and physics of hemodialysis, water treatment systems, dialyzer membrane technology, vascular access types and cannulation techniques, intradialytic complications and emergency response, infection control protocols, dialysate composition and bicarbonate chemistry, adequacy measurements including Kt/V and URR calculations, and the psychosocial dimensions of caring for patients with end-stage renal disease.
Special features include three full-length practice examinations modeled on the CHT exam format, with detailed rationales for every answer that connect back to the relevant chapter content. A pharmacology quick-reference covers the medications most commonly encountered in dialysis settings, including heparin dosing, EPO administration, and phosphate binders. Machine troubleshooting flowcharts help you prepare for the technical scenarios that appear on the exam. The appendices include a glossary of nephrology terminology, normal laboratory value ranges for dialysis patients, and a water treatment system inspection checklist.
Passing the CHT certification equips you for a satisfying and meaningful career in nephrology patient care. Certified hemodialysis technicians are essential members of the renal care team, providing life-sustaining treatment to more than half a million Americans living with end-stage kidney disease. Demand for qualified dialysis technicians continues to grow as the prevalence of chronic kidney disease rises, and CHT certification opens pathways to advancement as a charge technician, biomedical technician, clinical coordinator, or bridge to nursing and other allied health professions. Every shift you work, you help patients live longer, feel better, and maintain their independence.
Customer Reviews
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
