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CBIS CERTIFIED BRAIN INJURY
SPECIALIST EXAM
WITH FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS
AND EXPERT VERIFIED ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+
Exam Coverage
• Brain Injury Fundamentals
• Acute Medical Management
• Neuroanatomy & Function
• Recovery & Outcome Measures
• Cognitive Deficits & Rehabilitation
• Communication Disorders
• Behavioral & Psychiatric Sequelae
• Physical & Medical Complications
• Special Conditions
• Psychosocial & Vocational Issues
• Professional Practice
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This document provides 100 multiple‑choice practice questions for the Certified Brain Injury
Specialist (CBIS) examination, covering all major content domains including TBI/ABI
definitions, mechanisms of injury, neuroanatomy, the Glasgow Coma Scale, Rancho Los Amigos
Levels, cognitive and behavioral deficits, medical complications, rehabilitation strategies,
pharmacology, outcome measures, ethical and professional issues, and family support. Each
question includes four vertically aligned answer choices, the correct answer highlighted with a
checkmark, and a detailed evidence‑based rationale. This resource is intended for candidates
preparing for the ACBIS exam, rehabilitation professionals, educators, and students seeking to
validate their knowledge in brain injury specialty care.
Question 1
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
A. A client with a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg who is requesting pain medication.
B. A client who is scheduled for a routine dressing change in 30 minutes.
C. A client reporting sudden onset of chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis.
D. A client with a history of diabetes who needs a blood glucose check before breakfast.
Correct Answer: C) A client reporting sudden onset of chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis
(✓)
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Rationale: Chest pain with diaphoresis is a classic sign of a potential cardiac emergency, such as
an acute myocardial infarction. The ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) framework prioritizes
circulation issues, making this client the highest priority for immediate assessment and
intervention.
Question 2
A charge nurse is assigning client care on a medical-surgical unit. Which client should be
assigned to the most experienced registered nurse?
A. A client with well-controlled hypertension requiring routine blood pressure monitoring.
B. A client who is two days post-operative following an appendectomy with stable vital signs.
C. A client newly diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) presenting with confusion and
tachycardia.
D. A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics who is afebrile.
Correct Answer: C) A client newly diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) presenting with
confusion and tachycardia (✓)
Rationale: A new DKA diagnosis indicates an unstable condition requiring complex assessment,
critical thinking, and potential rapid intervention. This client must be assigned to the most
experienced RN, while stable clients can be assigned to less experienced nurses or LPNs under
supervision.
Question 3
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A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescription for wrist restraints after
attempting to remove an IV line. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the
care plan?
A. Tie the restraints securely to the side rail of the bed.
B. Remove the restraints every two hours to assess skin integrity and provide range of motion.
C. Secure the restraints with a square knot to prevent accidental loosening.
D. Apply the restraints tightly so the client cannot move the wrists at all.
Correct Answer: B) Remove the restraints every two hours to assess skin integrity and provide
range of motion (✓)
Rationale: Restraints must be removed at least every two hours to assess skin integrity, provide
range of motion, and meet elimination and hydration needs. Restraints should be tied to the bed
frame (not side rails) using a quick-release knot, with two fingers of space between the restraint
and the client‘s skin.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive personnel (AP) on a busy medical-surgical
unit. Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the AP?
A. Evaluate a client‘s response to newly administered pain medication.
B. Teach a client how to properly use an incentive spirometer after surgery.
C. Obtain a fingerstick blood glucose reading on a stable diabetic client.
CBIS CERTIFIED BRAIN INJURY
SPECIALIST EXAM
WITH FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS
AND EXPERT VERIFIED ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+
Exam Coverage
• Brain Injury Fundamentals
• Acute Medical Management
• Neuroanatomy & Function
• Recovery & Outcome Measures
• Cognitive Deficits & Rehabilitation
• Communication Disorders
• Behavioral & Psychiatric Sequelae
• Physical & Medical Complications
• Special Conditions
• Psychosocial & Vocational Issues
• Professional Practice
, Page 2 of 135
This document provides 100 multiple‑choice practice questions for the Certified Brain Injury
Specialist (CBIS) examination, covering all major content domains including TBI/ABI
definitions, mechanisms of injury, neuroanatomy, the Glasgow Coma Scale, Rancho Los Amigos
Levels, cognitive and behavioral deficits, medical complications, rehabilitation strategies,
pharmacology, outcome measures, ethical and professional issues, and family support. Each
question includes four vertically aligned answer choices, the correct answer highlighted with a
checkmark, and a detailed evidence‑based rationale. This resource is intended for candidates
preparing for the ACBIS exam, rehabilitation professionals, educators, and students seeking to
validate their knowledge in brain injury specialty care.
Question 1
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
A. A client with a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg who is requesting pain medication.
B. A client who is scheduled for a routine dressing change in 30 minutes.
C. A client reporting sudden onset of chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis.
D. A client with a history of diabetes who needs a blood glucose check before breakfast.
Correct Answer: C) A client reporting sudden onset of chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis
(✓)
, Page 3 of 135
Rationale: Chest pain with diaphoresis is a classic sign of a potential cardiac emergency, such as
an acute myocardial infarction. The ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) framework prioritizes
circulation issues, making this client the highest priority for immediate assessment and
intervention.
Question 2
A charge nurse is assigning client care on a medical-surgical unit. Which client should be
assigned to the most experienced registered nurse?
A. A client with well-controlled hypertension requiring routine blood pressure monitoring.
B. A client who is two days post-operative following an appendectomy with stable vital signs.
C. A client newly diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) presenting with confusion and
tachycardia.
D. A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics who is afebrile.
Correct Answer: C) A client newly diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) presenting with
confusion and tachycardia (✓)
Rationale: A new DKA diagnosis indicates an unstable condition requiring complex assessment,
critical thinking, and potential rapid intervention. This client must be assigned to the most
experienced RN, while stable clients can be assigned to less experienced nurses or LPNs under
supervision.
Question 3
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A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescription for wrist restraints after
attempting to remove an IV line. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the
care plan?
A. Tie the restraints securely to the side rail of the bed.
B. Remove the restraints every two hours to assess skin integrity and provide range of motion.
C. Secure the restraints with a square knot to prevent accidental loosening.
D. Apply the restraints tightly so the client cannot move the wrists at all.
Correct Answer: B) Remove the restraints every two hours to assess skin integrity and provide
range of motion (✓)
Rationale: Restraints must be removed at least every two hours to assess skin integrity, provide
range of motion, and meet elimination and hydration needs. Restraints should be tied to the bed
frame (not side rails) using a quick-release knot, with two fingers of space between the restraint
and the client‘s skin.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive personnel (AP) on a busy medical-surgical
unit. Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the AP?
A. Evaluate a client‘s response to newly administered pain medication.
B. Teach a client how to properly use an incentive spirometer after surgery.
C. Obtain a fingerstick blood glucose reading on a stable diabetic client.
