, CRRN Final Exam Questions and Verified Answers
with Rationale 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is assessing a client who sustained a complete
spinal cord injury at the C-6 level. Which of the following functional
capabilities should the nurse expect this client to achieve independently?
A) Independent community ambulation without orthotics or
assistive devices
B) Independent sliding-board transfers, manual wheelchair
propulsion, and feeding using adaptive equipment leveraging
tenodesis grasp
C) Complete independence in all activities of daily living without
any adaptive equipment
D) Independent management of mechanical ventilation without
any respiratory support
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Independent sliding-board transfers,
manual wheelchair propulsion, and feeding using adaptive
equipment leveraging tenodesis grasp
Rationale: A client with a C-6 spinal cord injury has innervation of the
wrist extensors (extensor carpi radialis), which allows them to utilize the
tenodesis grasp (where wrist extension naturally closes the fingers). This
functional milestone enables them to feed themselves using adaptive
equipment, assist with upper body dressing, perform sliding-board
transfers, and propel a manual wheelchair equipped with projections or
standard handrims.
Question 2
,A rehabilitation nurse is managing a client with a neurogenic bladder
secondary to a T-12 spinal cord injury who exhibits an upper motor
neuron (reflexic) bladder. Which of the following treatment strategies is
most appropriate?
A) Permanent placement of an indwelling suprapubic catheter
without trials
B) Scheduled clean intermittent catheterization and administration
of anti-cholinergic medications (such as oxybutynin)
C) Permanent fluid restriction to less than 500 mL daily
D) Manual compression of the lower abdomen (Credé maneuver)
as the sole method without medication or catheter use
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Scheduled clean intermittent
catheterization and administration of anti-cholinergic medications
(such as oxybutynin)
Rationale: An upper motor neuron (reflexic) bladder retains the sacral
reflex arc, leading to uninhibited detrusor contractions and high
intravesical pressures. Management centers on scheduled clean
intermittent catheterization to prevent overdistension and anti-
cholinergic therapy to suppress reflex bladder spasms and maintain low
storage pressures.
Question 3
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a client who is post-stroke and
presents with right-sided hemiparesis and non-fluent expressive aphasia.
Which cerebral artery is most likely occluded?
A) Right middle cerebral artery (MCA)
B) Left middle cerebral artery (MCA)
C) Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) bilaterally
D) Vertebrobasilar artery system
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Left middle cerebral artery (MCA)
, Rationale: The left middle cerebral artery supplies the dominant motor
cortex (controlling the right side of the body) and Broca's area in the left
frontal lobe (responsible for expressive speech). Occlusion typically
results in right hemiplegia/hemiparesis and expressive aphasia.
Question 4
A rehabilitation nurse is evaluating seating and positioning for a
wheelchair-bound client with a history of pressure injuries over the
ischial tuberosities. Which cushion feature is most critical for optimal
pressure redistribution?
A) A rigid, non-yielding wooden panel
B) A contoured cushion combining high-density foam with
adjustable fluid or air inserts to maximize body contact area
C) A 100% vinyl pad with flat contours
D) A traditional rubber ring (donut) cushion
CORRECT ANSWER: B) A contoured cushion combining high-
density foam with adjustable fluid or air inserts to maximize body
contact area
Rationale: Contoured cushions distribute weight evenly across the
thighs and buttocks, shifting pressure away from bony prominences like
the ischial tuberosities. Donut cushions are strictly avoided because they
create a localized edge effect that restricts blood flow and worsens tissue
ischemia.
Question 5
A rehabilitation nurse is managing a client with a traumatic brain injury
who is at Rancho Level IV (Confused-Agitated). Which of the following
nursing interventions should be prioritized?
A) Expose the client to continuous high-intensity, chaotic sensory
stimulation groups
with Rationale 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is assessing a client who sustained a complete
spinal cord injury at the C-6 level. Which of the following functional
capabilities should the nurse expect this client to achieve independently?
A) Independent community ambulation without orthotics or
assistive devices
B) Independent sliding-board transfers, manual wheelchair
propulsion, and feeding using adaptive equipment leveraging
tenodesis grasp
C) Complete independence in all activities of daily living without
any adaptive equipment
D) Independent management of mechanical ventilation without
any respiratory support
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Independent sliding-board transfers,
manual wheelchair propulsion, and feeding using adaptive
equipment leveraging tenodesis grasp
Rationale: A client with a C-6 spinal cord injury has innervation of the
wrist extensors (extensor carpi radialis), which allows them to utilize the
tenodesis grasp (where wrist extension naturally closes the fingers). This
functional milestone enables them to feed themselves using adaptive
equipment, assist with upper body dressing, perform sliding-board
transfers, and propel a manual wheelchair equipped with projections or
standard handrims.
Question 2
,A rehabilitation nurse is managing a client with a neurogenic bladder
secondary to a T-12 spinal cord injury who exhibits an upper motor
neuron (reflexic) bladder. Which of the following treatment strategies is
most appropriate?
A) Permanent placement of an indwelling suprapubic catheter
without trials
B) Scheduled clean intermittent catheterization and administration
of anti-cholinergic medications (such as oxybutynin)
C) Permanent fluid restriction to less than 500 mL daily
D) Manual compression of the lower abdomen (Credé maneuver)
as the sole method without medication or catheter use
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Scheduled clean intermittent
catheterization and administration of anti-cholinergic medications
(such as oxybutynin)
Rationale: An upper motor neuron (reflexic) bladder retains the sacral
reflex arc, leading to uninhibited detrusor contractions and high
intravesical pressures. Management centers on scheduled clean
intermittent catheterization to prevent overdistension and anti-
cholinergic therapy to suppress reflex bladder spasms and maintain low
storage pressures.
Question 3
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a client who is post-stroke and
presents with right-sided hemiparesis and non-fluent expressive aphasia.
Which cerebral artery is most likely occluded?
A) Right middle cerebral artery (MCA)
B) Left middle cerebral artery (MCA)
C) Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) bilaterally
D) Vertebrobasilar artery system
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Left middle cerebral artery (MCA)
, Rationale: The left middle cerebral artery supplies the dominant motor
cortex (controlling the right side of the body) and Broca's area in the left
frontal lobe (responsible for expressive speech). Occlusion typically
results in right hemiplegia/hemiparesis and expressive aphasia.
Question 4
A rehabilitation nurse is evaluating seating and positioning for a
wheelchair-bound client with a history of pressure injuries over the
ischial tuberosities. Which cushion feature is most critical for optimal
pressure redistribution?
A) A rigid, non-yielding wooden panel
B) A contoured cushion combining high-density foam with
adjustable fluid or air inserts to maximize body contact area
C) A 100% vinyl pad with flat contours
D) A traditional rubber ring (donut) cushion
CORRECT ANSWER: B) A contoured cushion combining high-
density foam with adjustable fluid or air inserts to maximize body
contact area
Rationale: Contoured cushions distribute weight evenly across the
thighs and buttocks, shifting pressure away from bony prominences like
the ischial tuberosities. Donut cushions are strictly avoided because they
create a localized edge effect that restricts blood flow and worsens tissue
ischemia.
Question 5
A rehabilitation nurse is managing a client with a traumatic brain injury
who is at Rancho Level IV (Confused-Agitated). Which of the following
nursing interventions should be prioritized?
A) Expose the client to continuous high-intensity, chaotic sensory
stimulation groups
