, CRRN Certification Exam Questions and Verified
Answers with Rationale 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a client who sustained a complete
spinal cord injury at the C-7 level. Which of the following functional
milestones should the nurse expect this client to achieve independently?
A) Independent mechanical ventilation management without
assistance
B) Independent manual wheelchair propulsion, transfers, and self-
care using tenodesis or triceps function
C) Independent ambulation using knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs)
and crutches
D) Complete independence in bowel and bladder extraction without
specialized adaptive tools
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Independent manual wheelchair
propulsion, transfers, and self-care using tenodesis or triceps
function
Rationale: A client with a C-7 spinal cord injury retains innervation of
the triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi, and finger extensors. This functional
capacity enables them to perform independent weight-shifting, sliding-
board transfers, manual wheelchair propulsion, and upper extremity self-
care. High cervical injuries (C-3 to C-5) require respiratory support,
while independent community ambulation is generally not achievable at
this level.
Question 2
,A rehabilitation nurse is managing a client with an upper motor neuron
(reflexic) neurogenic bladder secondary to a thoracic spinal cord injury.
Which of the following interventions should be integrated into the
client's bladder management plan?
A) Continuous closed indwelling urinary drainage for life without
trials of removal
B) Scheduled intermittent catheterization or trigger techniques (such
as Credé maneuver or tapping) based on reflex evaluation
C) Complete fluid restriction to less than 400 mL per day to prevent
incontinence
D) High-dose daily anti-cholinergic medications without monitoring
post-void residuals
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Scheduled intermittent catheterization or
trigger techniques (such as Credé maneuver or tapping) based on
reflex evaluation
Rationale: An upper motor neuron (reflexic) bladder retains the spinal
reflex arc, allowing the detrusor muscle to contract reflexively when
stretched. Management focuses on scheduled intermittent
catheterization, trigger voiding techniques, and anti-cholinergic
medications to manage detrusor overactivity and maintain low bladder
pressures.
Question 3
A rehabilitation nurse is assessing a client post-stroke who presents with
right-sided hemiplegia and expressive aphasia. Which of the following
cortical areas is most likely affected by the cerebrovascular event?
A) Right temporal lobe
B) Left frontal lobe (Broca's area)
, C) Occipital visual cortex
D) Right parietal lobe
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Left frontal lobe (Broca's area)
Rationale: Broca's area is located in the dominant frontal lobe (typically
the left hemisphere) and controls motor speech production. Damage to
this region results in expressive aphasia (non-fluent speech with
preserved comprehension), while contralateral hemiplegia on the right
side indicates involvement of the left motor cortex.
Question 4
A rehabilitation nurse is evaluating seating and positioning for a
wheelchair user who is at high risk for pressure injuries over the ischial
tuberosities. Which cushion characteristic is most effective for pressure
redistribution?
A) A rigid, flat wooden board covered with thin felt padding
B) A contoured high-density foam cushion with adjustable air or fluid
inserts to maximize contact surface area
C) A non-breathable vinyl pad with zero contouring
D) An uninflated rubber ring cushion (donut cushion)
CORRECT ANSWER: B) A contoured high-density foam cushion
with adjustable air or fluid inserts to maximize contact surface area
Rationale: Contoured cushions combining high-density foam with fluid
or adjustable air cells maximize body contact area, distribute weight
evenly away from bony prominences, and decrease peak interface
pressures. Donut cushions are contraindicated because they create a
localized edge effect that restricts blood flow and increases edema.
Question 5
Answers with Rationale 2026/2027 Update
Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a client who sustained a complete
spinal cord injury at the C-7 level. Which of the following functional
milestones should the nurse expect this client to achieve independently?
A) Independent mechanical ventilation management without
assistance
B) Independent manual wheelchair propulsion, transfers, and self-
care using tenodesis or triceps function
C) Independent ambulation using knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs)
and crutches
D) Complete independence in bowel and bladder extraction without
specialized adaptive tools
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Independent manual wheelchair
propulsion, transfers, and self-care using tenodesis or triceps
function
Rationale: A client with a C-7 spinal cord injury retains innervation of
the triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi, and finger extensors. This functional
capacity enables them to perform independent weight-shifting, sliding-
board transfers, manual wheelchair propulsion, and upper extremity self-
care. High cervical injuries (C-3 to C-5) require respiratory support,
while independent community ambulation is generally not achievable at
this level.
Question 2
,A rehabilitation nurse is managing a client with an upper motor neuron
(reflexic) neurogenic bladder secondary to a thoracic spinal cord injury.
Which of the following interventions should be integrated into the
client's bladder management plan?
A) Continuous closed indwelling urinary drainage for life without
trials of removal
B) Scheduled intermittent catheterization or trigger techniques (such
as Credé maneuver or tapping) based on reflex evaluation
C) Complete fluid restriction to less than 400 mL per day to prevent
incontinence
D) High-dose daily anti-cholinergic medications without monitoring
post-void residuals
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Scheduled intermittent catheterization or
trigger techniques (such as Credé maneuver or tapping) based on
reflex evaluation
Rationale: An upper motor neuron (reflexic) bladder retains the spinal
reflex arc, allowing the detrusor muscle to contract reflexively when
stretched. Management focuses on scheduled intermittent
catheterization, trigger voiding techniques, and anti-cholinergic
medications to manage detrusor overactivity and maintain low bladder
pressures.
Question 3
A rehabilitation nurse is assessing a client post-stroke who presents with
right-sided hemiplegia and expressive aphasia. Which of the following
cortical areas is most likely affected by the cerebrovascular event?
A) Right temporal lobe
B) Left frontal lobe (Broca's area)
, C) Occipital visual cortex
D) Right parietal lobe
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Left frontal lobe (Broca's area)
Rationale: Broca's area is located in the dominant frontal lobe (typically
the left hemisphere) and controls motor speech production. Damage to
this region results in expressive aphasia (non-fluent speech with
preserved comprehension), while contralateral hemiplegia on the right
side indicates involvement of the left motor cortex.
Question 4
A rehabilitation nurse is evaluating seating and positioning for a
wheelchair user who is at high risk for pressure injuries over the ischial
tuberosities. Which cushion characteristic is most effective for pressure
redistribution?
A) A rigid, flat wooden board covered with thin felt padding
B) A contoured high-density foam cushion with adjustable air or fluid
inserts to maximize contact surface area
C) A non-breathable vinyl pad with zero contouring
D) An uninflated rubber ring cushion (donut cushion)
CORRECT ANSWER: B) A contoured high-density foam cushion
with adjustable air or fluid inserts to maximize contact surface area
Rationale: Contoured cushions combining high-density foam with fluid
or adjustable air cells maximize body contact area, distribute weight
evenly away from bony prominences, and decrease peak interface
pressures. Donut cushions are contraindicated because they create a
localized edge effect that restricts blood flow and increases edema.
Question 5
