Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Exam
Success Kit – Ultimate Practice Exam (200+
Questions with Answers & Explanations.
This practice exam is based on the official ACBIS exam blueprint and covers the key
domains of brain injury rehabilitation knowledge required for the Certified Brain Injury
Specialist credential. The exam emphasizes functional impact, interdisciplinary care, and
rehabilitation principles across the continuum of care .
Core Knowledge & Neuroanatomy
1. Which of the following best defines an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?
A) Any injury to the brain that occurs at birth
B) Any injury to the brain that occurs after birth, including traumatic and non-traumatic
causes
C) Only injuries caused by external physical force
D) Only injuries caused by stroke or anoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) refers to any brain injury occurring after birth. This
includes both traumatic (TBI) and non-traumatic causes such as stroke, anoxia, tumor,
and infection .
,2. A patient with a brain injury is able to respond to simple commands but
becomes easily confused and agitated when tasks are complex. Which Rancho Los
Amigos Level best describes this patient?
A) Level IV — Confused/Agitated
B) Level V — Confused/Inappropriate, Non-agitated
C) Level VI — Confused/Appropriate
D) Level VII — Automatic/Appropriate
Answer: A
Rationale: Rancho Level IV is characterized by confusion and agitation. The patient may
respond to simple commands but has difficulty with complex tasks and may be easily
overwhelmed. Level V describes confused but non-agitated behavior. Level VI involves
confusion with appropriate responses .
3. A patient with a severe TBI is assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and
scores a 9. This indicates:
A) Mild brain injury
B) Moderate brain injury
C) Severe brain injury
D) No brain injury
Answer: B
Rationale: GCS scores: 13-15 = Mild, 9-12 = Moderate, 3-8 = Severe. A score of 9 falls
into the moderate category .
4. The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections
throughout life is called:
A) Neurogenesis
B) Neuroplasticity
C) Neuroadaptation
D) Neuromodulation
,Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize by forming new neural
connections. This is a fundamental concept in brain injury rehabilitation .
5. Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for executive functions,
including planning, decision-making, and impulse control?
A) Temporal lobe
B) Occipital lobe
C) Frontal lobe
D) Parietal lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: The frontal lobe is responsible for executive functions. The temporal lobe is
involved in memory and language, the occipital lobe in vision, and the parietal lobe in
sensory processing.
6. Which type of brain injury is caused by a blunt force impact that causes the
brain to move within the skull, resulting in shearing of axons?
A) Penetrating injury
B) Coup-contrecoup injury
C) Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
D) Anoxic injury
Answer: C
Rationale: Diffuse axonal injury occurs from rotational or acceleration-deceleration
forces that shear axons. Coup-contrecoup involves bruising at impact and opposite sites.
Penetrating injuries involve objects entering the skull.
7. A stroke that occurs due to a clot blocking blood flow to the brain is classified
as:
, A) Hemorrhagic stroke
B) Ischemic stroke
C) Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
D) Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Answer: B
Rationale: Ischemic stroke is caused by a thrombus or embolus blocking blood flow.
Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain. TIA is a temporary ischemic
event. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the subarachnoid space.
8. Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of a brain injury?
A) Memory impairment
B) Difficulty with executive function
C) Sudden improvement in cognitive abilities
D) Emotional lability
Answer: C
Rationale: Brain injuries typically cause cognitive and behavioral deficits. Sudden
cognitive improvement is not a typical symptom; in fact, recovery is often gradual and
variable.
Medical & Physical Issues
9. A patient with a brain injury develops spasticity. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Complete bed rest
B) Passive range of motion and stretching
C) Increased fluid intake
D) Cognitive retraining
Success Kit – Ultimate Practice Exam (200+
Questions with Answers & Explanations.
This practice exam is based on the official ACBIS exam blueprint and covers the key
domains of brain injury rehabilitation knowledge required for the Certified Brain Injury
Specialist credential. The exam emphasizes functional impact, interdisciplinary care, and
rehabilitation principles across the continuum of care .
Core Knowledge & Neuroanatomy
1. Which of the following best defines an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?
A) Any injury to the brain that occurs at birth
B) Any injury to the brain that occurs after birth, including traumatic and non-traumatic
causes
C) Only injuries caused by external physical force
D) Only injuries caused by stroke or anoxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) refers to any brain injury occurring after birth. This
includes both traumatic (TBI) and non-traumatic causes such as stroke, anoxia, tumor,
and infection .
,2. A patient with a brain injury is able to respond to simple commands but
becomes easily confused and agitated when tasks are complex. Which Rancho Los
Amigos Level best describes this patient?
A) Level IV — Confused/Agitated
B) Level V — Confused/Inappropriate, Non-agitated
C) Level VI — Confused/Appropriate
D) Level VII — Automatic/Appropriate
Answer: A
Rationale: Rancho Level IV is characterized by confusion and agitation. The patient may
respond to simple commands but has difficulty with complex tasks and may be easily
overwhelmed. Level V describes confused but non-agitated behavior. Level VI involves
confusion with appropriate responses .
3. A patient with a severe TBI is assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and
scores a 9. This indicates:
A) Mild brain injury
B) Moderate brain injury
C) Severe brain injury
D) No brain injury
Answer: B
Rationale: GCS scores: 13-15 = Mild, 9-12 = Moderate, 3-8 = Severe. A score of 9 falls
into the moderate category .
4. The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections
throughout life is called:
A) Neurogenesis
B) Neuroplasticity
C) Neuroadaptation
D) Neuromodulation
,Answer: B
Rationale: Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize by forming new neural
connections. This is a fundamental concept in brain injury rehabilitation .
5. Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for executive functions,
including planning, decision-making, and impulse control?
A) Temporal lobe
B) Occipital lobe
C) Frontal lobe
D) Parietal lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: The frontal lobe is responsible for executive functions. The temporal lobe is
involved in memory and language, the occipital lobe in vision, and the parietal lobe in
sensory processing.
6. Which type of brain injury is caused by a blunt force impact that causes the
brain to move within the skull, resulting in shearing of axons?
A) Penetrating injury
B) Coup-contrecoup injury
C) Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
D) Anoxic injury
Answer: C
Rationale: Diffuse axonal injury occurs from rotational or acceleration-deceleration
forces that shear axons. Coup-contrecoup involves bruising at impact and opposite sites.
Penetrating injuries involve objects entering the skull.
7. A stroke that occurs due to a clot blocking blood flow to the brain is classified
as:
, A) Hemorrhagic stroke
B) Ischemic stroke
C) Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
D) Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Answer: B
Rationale: Ischemic stroke is caused by a thrombus or embolus blocking blood flow.
Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain. TIA is a temporary ischemic
event. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the subarachnoid space.
8. Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of a brain injury?
A) Memory impairment
B) Difficulty with executive function
C) Sudden improvement in cognitive abilities
D) Emotional lability
Answer: C
Rationale: Brain injuries typically cause cognitive and behavioral deficits. Sudden
cognitive improvement is not a typical symptom; in fact, recovery is often gradual and
variable.
Medical & Physical Issues
9. A patient with a brain injury develops spasticity. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Complete bed rest
B) Passive range of motion and stretching
C) Increased fluid intake
D) Cognitive retraining
