2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Barron's CCRN: Neurology Questions and
Correct Answers | Latest Update
Cranial nerves
✓ -:- All arise from the brain stem *except* I and II which arise from
above the brain stem
Cranial nerve I
✓ -:- *Olfactory*
✓ -Smell, often associated with a *basilar skull fracture*
Cranial nerve II
✓ -:- *Optic*
-Sight *NOT* pupil reaction
Cranial nerve III
✓ -:- *Oculomotor*
-Pupillary function
1|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
-Flows out of the midbrain (in brain stem) and transverses transtentorial notch (so with an
increase in ICP, PNS stimulation is blocked, SNS stimulation predominates= *pupil dilates on
side of injury*
Cranial nerve V
✓ -:- *Trigeminal*
-Corneal reflex, chewing
Cranial nerve VIII
✓ -:- *Vestibulocochlear*
-Intactness of this nerve is tested with *Dolls eyes* and *cold caloric* exams
Cranial nerve IX
✓ -:- *Glossopharyngeal*
-Swallow, gag
Cranial nerve X
✓ -:- *Vagus*
2|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
-Pharyngeal/laryngeal movement
Blood supply to the brain: basal vertebral
✓ -:- Supplies lower areas of brain, brain stem
Blood supply to the brain: Carotids
✓ -:- Supplies upper areas of the brain
-Left internal carotid is dominant for most people
Frontal lobe
✓ -:- Personality, abstract thoughts, long -term memory
Temporal lobe
✓ -:- Hearing, sense of taste and smell, interpretations
Occipital lobe
✓ -:- Vision, visual recognition, reading comprehension
3|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
, 2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Parietal lobe
✓ -:- Object recognition by size, weight, shape
Body part awareness
Cerebellum
✓ -:- Coordination, balance, gait
Circle of Willis
✓ -:- Circulatory anastomosis comprised of various arteries that supply
blood to the brain
-If well-developed, allows *collateral blood flow to one area from another area in the event
of an occlusion* (Less than 50% of the population has a well developed circle of willis)- why
2 people can have a stroke in the same area of the circle and present with different
symptoms
Arteries that supply the circle of willis
✓ -:- Anterior cerebral artery (left and right)
4|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
Barron's CCRN: Neurology Questions and
Correct Answers | Latest Update
Cranial nerves
✓ -:- All arise from the brain stem *except* I and II which arise from
above the brain stem
Cranial nerve I
✓ -:- *Olfactory*
✓ -Smell, often associated with a *basilar skull fracture*
Cranial nerve II
✓ -:- *Optic*
-Sight *NOT* pupil reaction
Cranial nerve III
✓ -:- *Oculomotor*
-Pupillary function
1|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
-Flows out of the midbrain (in brain stem) and transverses transtentorial notch (so with an
increase in ICP, PNS stimulation is blocked, SNS stimulation predominates= *pupil dilates on
side of injury*
Cranial nerve V
✓ -:- *Trigeminal*
-Corneal reflex, chewing
Cranial nerve VIII
✓ -:- *Vestibulocochlear*
-Intactness of this nerve is tested with *Dolls eyes* and *cold caloric* exams
Cranial nerve IX
✓ -:- *Glossopharyngeal*
-Swallow, gag
Cranial nerve X
✓ -:- *Vagus*
2|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
-Pharyngeal/laryngeal movement
Blood supply to the brain: basal vertebral
✓ -:- Supplies lower areas of brain, brain stem
Blood supply to the brain: Carotids
✓ -:- Supplies upper areas of the brain
-Left internal carotid is dominant for most people
Frontal lobe
✓ -:- Personality, abstract thoughts, long -term memory
Temporal lobe
✓ -:- Hearing, sense of taste and smell, interpretations
Occipital lobe
✓ -:- Vision, visual recognition, reading comprehension
3|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
, 2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Parietal lobe
✓ -:- Object recognition by size, weight, shape
Body part awareness
Cerebellum
✓ -:- Coordination, balance, gait
Circle of Willis
✓ -:- Circulatory anastomosis comprised of various arteries that supply
blood to the brain
-If well-developed, allows *collateral blood flow to one area from another area in the event
of an occlusion* (Less than 50% of the population has a well developed circle of willis)- why
2 people can have a stroke in the same area of the circle and present with different
symptoms
Arteries that supply the circle of willis
✓ -:- Anterior cerebral artery (left and right)
4|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
