10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,032-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The CNRN exam has 220 questions and runs 4 hours.
These 10 free CNRN questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
A patient is brought in after a fall, is initially alert and conversant, then rapidly deteriorates into unconsciousness with a fixed, dilated right pupil. A biconvex (lens-shaped) bleed is seen on CT. This presentation is MOST characteristic of which injury?
Correct answer: D - Epidural hematoma with a lucid interval
On post-bleed day 7 following an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, a previously stable patient becomes confused and develops new left-sided weakness. Which complication should the nurse suspect FIRST?
Correct answer: B - Cerebral vasospasm with delayed cerebral ischemia
Following transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary tumor, a patient produces 350 mL/hr of pale, dilute urine and the serum sodium rises to 151 mEq/L. This clinical picture is MOST consistent with:
Correct answer: D - Diabetes insipidus
A patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome shows a steadily declining forced vital capacity over the past several hours. What is the nurse's PRIORITY concern?
Correct answer: A - Impending respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support
A patient opens their eyes only in response to painful stimulus, makes incomprehensible sounds, and withdraws from pain. What is this patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score?
Correct answer: C - 8
A patient with a T4 spinal cord injury suddenly develops a pounding headache, blood pressure of 224/118 mmHg, bradycardia, and profuse sweating above the level of injury. What is the nurse's FIRST action?
Correct answer: C - Raise the head of the bed to a sitting position
A patient with a severe traumatic brain injury has an intracranial pressure (ICP) of 24 mmHg and a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 80 mmHg. What is the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and what does it indicate?
Correct answer: B - 56 mmHg - below the recommended target
A patient arrives 2 hours after symptom onset with an acute ischemic stroke and is otherwise eligible for IV alteplase (tPA). The blood pressure is 192/114 mmHg. What must occur before thrombolytic therapy can be given?
Correct answer: A - The blood pressure must be lowered to below 185/110 mmHg
A patient has been having continuous convulsive seizure activity for the past 6 minutes. According to status epilepticus management, which medication should be administered FIRST?
Correct answer: C - A benzodiazepine such as IV lorazepam
A nurse is caring for a patient with rising intracranial pressure. Which set of vital sign changes represents Cushing's triad, signaling a LATE and ominous rise in ICP?
Correct answer: D - Hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
The CNRN exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:
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