CRRN Exam – Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse
(CRRN) – Commission on Rehabilitation Nurse
Certification (CRNC) – 2026/2027 Edition – Verified
Questions and Answers
Section 1: Nursing Models and Theories
1. A rehabilitation nurse is working with a patient who has had a stroke and is
struggling to accept their new limitations. The nurse uses a theory that views the
person as a biological, symbolic, and social unit with the ability to perform self-
care. Which nursing theorist's framework is the nurse applying?
A) Imogene King
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Martha Rogers
D) Sister Callista Roy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory describes the person as a
biological, symbolic, and social unit capable of self-care. In rehabilitation nursing, when
self-care demands exceed a patient's self-care agency, nursing intervention is required
to restore independence. Imogene King focuses on goal attainment through
interpersonal processes, Martha Rogers on energy fields, and Roy on adaptation to
stressors.
,2. A CRRN is helping a patient set rehabilitation goals after a spinal cord injury.
The nurse works collaboratively with the patient to establish mutually agreed-
upon goals through interpersonal interaction. This approach reflects which
theorist's framework?
A) Dorothea Orem
B) Lydia Hall
C) Imogene King
D) Martha Rogers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Imogene King's Theory of Goal Attainment emphasizes the interpersonal
process between nurse and client, where they work together to set and achieve mutually
agreed-upon goals. This collaborative approach is essential in rehabilitation, where
patient participation is critical for success. King views the person as an open system in
continuous interaction with the environment.
3. According to King, goal setting in rehabilitation should be viewed as:
A) A one-time event completed at admission
B) The sole responsibility of the physician
C) An ongoing process requiring continuous reassessment
D) Unnecessary for patients with chronic conditions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: King emphasizes that goal setting is an ongoing process involving
continuous reassessment and adjustment as the patient progresses. This aligns with
rehabilitation's dynamic nature, where goals evolve as functional capacity improves.
,4. A nurse educator is teaching students about Lydia Hall's theory. Which
statement accurately describes Hall's model?
A) The model focuses on three interlocking circles: Care, Core, and Cure
B) The model views humans as energy fields in constant interaction
C) The model emphasizes goal attainment through interpersonal relationships
D) The model describes adaptation as the primary goal of nursing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lydia Hall's theory is represented by three interlocking circles: Core (the
person's emotional, social, and psychological needs), Care (the body and physical
comfort), and Cure (the disease and medical treatment). Hall asserted that "only wholly
professional nursing care would hasten recovery". The Core component is particularly
important in rehabilitation where addressing the whole person is essential.
5. In Hall's theory, which component is most relevant when addressing a patient's
emotional response to a new disability?
A) Care
B) Cure
C) Core
D) Context
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In Hall's model, the Core represents the person's emotional, social, and
psychological needs. When addressing a patient's emotional response to disability, the
, nurse is working within the Core component, which recognizes the patient as a whole
person with psychological and social dimensions.
6. A rehabilitation nurse is using Orem's theory to guide care for a patient with
multiple sclerosis. The nurse identifies that the patient's self-care demands exceed
their self-care agency. According to Orem, what should the nurse do?
A) Recommend institutionalization
B) Determine that the patient is non-compliant
C) Intervene to support and educate the patient
D) Transfer care completely to the family
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to Orem, when self-care demands exceed self-care agency,
nursing intervention is required. The nurse's role is to support and educate the patient
and their dependent care agents (typically family members) to restore self-care capacity
and maximize independence.
7. Martha Rogers' theory views human beings as:
A) Collections of body systems
B) Wholes, not parts
C) Biological machines
D) Passive recipients of care
Correct Answer: B
(CRRN) – Commission on Rehabilitation Nurse
Certification (CRNC) – 2026/2027 Edition – Verified
Questions and Answers
Section 1: Nursing Models and Theories
1. A rehabilitation nurse is working with a patient who has had a stroke and is
struggling to accept their new limitations. The nurse uses a theory that views the
person as a biological, symbolic, and social unit with the ability to perform self-
care. Which nursing theorist's framework is the nurse applying?
A) Imogene King
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Martha Rogers
D) Sister Callista Roy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory describes the person as a
biological, symbolic, and social unit capable of self-care. In rehabilitation nursing, when
self-care demands exceed a patient's self-care agency, nursing intervention is required
to restore independence. Imogene King focuses on goal attainment through
interpersonal processes, Martha Rogers on energy fields, and Roy on adaptation to
stressors.
,2. A CRRN is helping a patient set rehabilitation goals after a spinal cord injury.
The nurse works collaboratively with the patient to establish mutually agreed-
upon goals through interpersonal interaction. This approach reflects which
theorist's framework?
A) Dorothea Orem
B) Lydia Hall
C) Imogene King
D) Martha Rogers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Imogene King's Theory of Goal Attainment emphasizes the interpersonal
process between nurse and client, where they work together to set and achieve mutually
agreed-upon goals. This collaborative approach is essential in rehabilitation, where
patient participation is critical for success. King views the person as an open system in
continuous interaction with the environment.
3. According to King, goal setting in rehabilitation should be viewed as:
A) A one-time event completed at admission
B) The sole responsibility of the physician
C) An ongoing process requiring continuous reassessment
D) Unnecessary for patients with chronic conditions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: King emphasizes that goal setting is an ongoing process involving
continuous reassessment and adjustment as the patient progresses. This aligns with
rehabilitation's dynamic nature, where goals evolve as functional capacity improves.
,4. A nurse educator is teaching students about Lydia Hall's theory. Which
statement accurately describes Hall's model?
A) The model focuses on three interlocking circles: Care, Core, and Cure
B) The model views humans as energy fields in constant interaction
C) The model emphasizes goal attainment through interpersonal relationships
D) The model describes adaptation as the primary goal of nursing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lydia Hall's theory is represented by three interlocking circles: Core (the
person's emotional, social, and psychological needs), Care (the body and physical
comfort), and Cure (the disease and medical treatment). Hall asserted that "only wholly
professional nursing care would hasten recovery". The Core component is particularly
important in rehabilitation where addressing the whole person is essential.
5. In Hall's theory, which component is most relevant when addressing a patient's
emotional response to a new disability?
A) Care
B) Cure
C) Core
D) Context
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In Hall's model, the Core represents the person's emotional, social, and
psychological needs. When addressing a patient's emotional response to disability, the
, nurse is working within the Core component, which recognizes the patient as a whole
person with psychological and social dimensions.
6. A rehabilitation nurse is using Orem's theory to guide care for a patient with
multiple sclerosis. The nurse identifies that the patient's self-care demands exceed
their self-care agency. According to Orem, what should the nurse do?
A) Recommend institutionalization
B) Determine that the patient is non-compliant
C) Intervene to support and educate the patient
D) Transfer care completely to the family
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to Orem, when self-care demands exceed self-care agency,
nursing intervention is required. The nurse's role is to support and educate the patient
and their dependent care agents (typically family members) to restore self-care capacity
and maximize independence.
7. Martha Rogers' theory views human beings as:
A) Collections of body systems
B) Wholes, not parts
C) Biological machines
D) Passive recipients of care
Correct Answer: B
