• 46 questions

CNRN Practice Questions

Unofficial practice for the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse exam, split like the published content outline.

Which is the leading risk factor for stroke that can be changed?

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Exam mode: 44 questions, 48 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN). Bank checked October 14, 2026.

The real exam, as its certifying body describes it

Time limit
240 minutes
Fee
$300 for AANN members, $400 for others, applying online
Retakes
Once per exam window; at most three times in 12 months
Questions
220 multiple-choice; 200 are scored and 20 are pretest items
Passing
A scaled score, with the passing point set equal to 200
When
Three one-month windows a year: March, July and October in 2026
Where
A PSI test center or live remote proctoring
Valid for
Five years

Checked October 14, 2026 against 2026 CNRN Candidate Handbook, American Board of Neuroscience Nursing, abnncertification.org. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

ABNN's own CNRN page

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All 46 questions

Trauma and cerebrovascular 10

  • A patient describes a sudden, severe headache as the worst ever felt, like a thunderclap. Which condition is this the main symptom of? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Subarachnoid hemorrhage", Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.B.2 Hemorrhagic Stroke.
  • A patient had slurred speech and a weak arm for twenty minutes, and now has a normal exam. How should this be regarded? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Transient ischemic attack", Definition. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.B.3 Transient Ischemic Attack.
  • A patient with a severe head injury holds the arms and legs straight out, toes pointed down, with the head and neck arched back. What is this posture called? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Decerebrate posture", Definition. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.A.1 Traumatic Brain Injury.
  • A patient with a spinal cord injury at T4 suddenly has a pounding headache, a flushed face and very high blood pressure. Which trigger should the nurse look for first? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Autonomic dysreflexia", Treatment. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.A.3 Spinal Cord Injury.
Show all 46 questions (42 more)

Trauma and cerebrovascular, continued

  • A roofer struck on the side of the head by a falling beam is unconscious for a minute, then alert and joking in the emergency department. An hour later he cannot be roused. Which bleed follows this course? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Epidural hematoma", Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.A.2 Hematoma/Hemorrhage.
  • After a fall a patient has bruising behind one ear and clear fluid dripping from the nose. What should the nurse suspect? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Skull fracture", Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.A.4 Skull and Spinal Fracture.
  • What is a cerebral arteriovenous malformation? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cerebral arteriovenous malformation", Definition. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.B.5 Vascular Anomalies.
  • What tears to cause most subdural hematomas after a head injury? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Subdural hematoma", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.A.2 Hematoma/Hemorrhage.
  • Which is the leading risk factor for stroke that can be changed? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Stroke", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.B.1 Ischemic Stroke.
  • Why can a minor bump cause a chronic subdural hematoma in an older adult? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Chronic subdural hematoma", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.A.2 Hematoma/Hemorrhage.

Tumors, infection, development, disorders 11

  • A large pituitary tumor presses on the optic nerves above it. Which change does the patient typically report? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Pituitary tumor", Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.C.3 Neuro-endocrine Disorders.
  • A patient has fever, severe headache and a stiff neck. Which test confirms meningitis? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Meningitis", Exams and Tests. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.D.2 Meningitis.
  • A young woman with obesity has daily headaches and blurred vision. Her brain scan shows no tumor. What is the main thing at risk if idiopathic intracranial hypertension goes untreated? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Idiopathic intracranial hypertension", Possible Complications. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.F.4 Pseudotumor Cerebri/Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.
  • Parkinson disease follows the loss of brain cells that make which chemical? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Parkinson disease", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.F.6 Movement Disorders.
  • Two weeks after a bout of diarrhea a patient is admitted with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Which course of muscle weakness is typical? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Guillain-Barre syndrome", Causes; Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.D.5 Neuromuscular Disorders.
  • What happens in craniosynostosis? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Craniosynostosis", Definition. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.E.1 Cranial/Cerebral Defects.
  • What is damaged in multiple sclerosis? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Multiple sclerosis", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.D.7 Neurodegenerative Disorders.
  • Which cancer is among the most common to spread to the brain? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Metastatic brain tumor", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.C.1 Brain Tumors.
  • Which pattern of muscle weakness is typical of myasthenia gravis? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Myasthenia gravis", Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.D.5 Neuromuscular Disorders.
  • Which three problems together suggest normal pressure hydrocephalus in an older adult? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Normal pressure hydrocephalus", Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.F.3 Hydrocephalus.
  • Which vitamin, taken before and early in pregnancy, lowers the risk of myelomeningocele? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Myelomeningocele", Causes; Prevention. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), I.E.4 Congenital Brain and Spinal Cord Structural Anomalies.

Physiological interventions 10

  • A neurosurgeon wants the most accurate reading of intracranial pressure and a way to drain cerebrospinal fluid through the same device. Which one does both? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Intracranial pressure monitoring", How the Test is Performed. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.6 Neurological Assessment and Management.
  • A patient has trouble swallowing after a stroke. Which position is safest during meals? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Swallowing problems". Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.3 Nutrition.
  • A patient on a neuroscience unit has a low blood sodium level from the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Which order should the nurse expect? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion", Treatment. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.4 Metabolic Management.
  • A patient paralyzed on one side stays in bed for days. Which complication does this raise the risk of? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Deep vein thrombosis", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.10 Cardiovascular Management.
  • A patient who cannot move after a stroke is on bed rest. How often should the position be changed to protect the skin? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "How to care for pressure sores". Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.1 Activity and Self-care.
  • A patient with a spinal cord injury cannot empty the bladder. Which method drains it at set times through the day? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Neurogenic bladder", Treatment. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.2 Bowel and Bladder Management.
  • After a lumbar puncture a patient has a headache that is worse sitting up and eases lying down. What is the likely cause? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "CSF leak", Causes; Symptoms. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.7 Surgical/Procedural Treatment and Management.
  • Before a clot-dissolving medicine is given for a stroke, what must the brain scan show? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Thrombolytic therapy", Information: Strokes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.5 Pharmacological Management.
  • Two days after pituitary surgery a patient passes very large amounts of pale urine and is very thirsty. A lack of which hormone explains this? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Central diabetes insipidus", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.4 Metabolic Management.
  • Which patient is at the highest risk of aspiration pneumonia? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Aspiration pneumonia", Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.A.8 Respiratory Monitoring and Airway Management.

Behavioral and safety interventions 7

  • A patient begins a generalized tonic-clonic seizure in bed. Which action is correct? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Seizures", Home Care. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.C.4 Environmental Safety Management.
  • A patient is diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. What is done for family members who live in the same home? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Meningococcal meningitis", Treatment. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.C.5 Neuro-specific Infection Prevention.
  • A patient is hard to wake, breathes six times a minute and has pinpoint pupils. Which medicine reverses the likely cause? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Opioid intoxication", Treatment. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.B.3 Chemical Dependency.
  • After a brain injury a patient becomes harder to rouse, and one pupil is now wide and does not react to light. What is the nurse most concerned about? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Brain herniation", Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.C.1 Neurological Status and Decline.
  • Burning, tingling pain in both feet from peripheral neuropathy is often treated with which kind of medicine? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Peripheral neuropathy", Treatment: Treating pain. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.B.4 Pain.
  • What sets delirium apart from dementia? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Delirium", Definition; Causes. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.C.2 Delirium.
  • When may physical restraints be used for a confused patient who keeps pulling at a drain? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Use of restraints", Patient Rights. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), II.C.6 Physical and Chemical Restraint.

Multidisciplinary care 8

  • A family asks how hospice differs from the care their relative with advanced ALS receives now. Which answer is correct? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hospice care". Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.A.6 Hospice/End of Life.
  • A patient has stiff, tight muscles in one arm after a brain injury. Which daily measure helps keep the joints from becoming fixed? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Spasticity", Home Care. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.A.4 Rehabilitation and Continuation of Care.
  • A patient newly diagnosed with epilepsy is going home. Which safety teaching is correct? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Epilepsy or seizures - discharge". Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.B.1 Education, Support, and Resources for Patient and Caregivers.
  • A patient who understands the risks refuses a recommended shunt operation. What does informed consent require of the team? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Informed consent - adults". Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.B.4 Ethics, Evidence-based Standards, and Regulations.
  • A patient with aphasia after a stroke is struggling to find a word. What helps most? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Communicating with someone with aphasia". Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.A.4 Rehabilitation and Continuation of Care.
  • A physician gives a verbal order during an emergency. The nurse repeats it back and the physician confirms it. What is this closed-loop step called? Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, TeamSTEPPS 3.0, Tool: Check-Back. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.B.2 Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Quality Improvement, and Outcome Evaluation.
  • Three weeks after a stroke a patient is tearful, sleeps poorly and has lost interest in therapy. What should the team keep in mind? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Recovering after stroke". Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.A.2 Support Systems.
  • Under the national guidelines for nursing delegation, what can a licensed nurse never hand over to another person? National Council of State Boards of Nursing and American Nurses Association, National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation. Outline: CNRN Detailed Content Outline (2024 job analysis), III.B.3 Scope of Practice, Professional Competence, and Delegation.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the CNRN Detailed Content Outline (based on the 2024 job analysis study) of the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing, pages 21 to 24 of the 2026 CNRN Candidate Handbook (https://abnncertification.org/uploads/CNRN/ABNN_2026_CNRN_Handbook_Final_RP.pdf, linked from https://abnncertification.org/cnrn/about, read 2026-10-14). The bank holds 21, 17 and 8 questions in the outline's three parts, the shares of its 91, 76 and 33 items. Every fact was read on 2026-10-14 in the public page the question names: the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia of the US National Library of Medicine for 44 questions, AHRQ's TeamSTEPPS check-back page for one and the National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation of NCSBN and the American Nurses Association for one. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

These free CNRN practice questions follow the content outline for the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse exam. They are unofficial, written for this site, and not affiliated with the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN).

Read the full guide

What the CNRN exam covers

The outline in the 2026 candidate handbook, read October 14, 2026, gives 200 scored items: anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis 91, patient management 76 and multidisciplinary care 33. The 46 questions here are split 21, 17 and 8.

A CNRN study guide by disorder

Head and spine trauma, stroke, tumors, infection, seizures and movement disorders each have questions, and every explanation names the MedlinePlus article and section behind the answer.

Pace of the timed test

The timed free CNRN practice test asks 44 questions in 48 minutes: a fifth of the real exam in a fifth of its time.

  • The handbook calls the CNRN a generalist exam: it does not stress any one level of care or any one age group.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the CNRN exam?

220 multiple-choice questions in four hours, by the 2026 CNRN candidate handbook. 200 are scored. The other 20 are pretest items that do not count.

What is a passing score on the CNRN exam?

The handbook says nurse experts set the passing point, which is then reported as a scaled score of 200. It is not a percent of right answers, so this page gives no verdict.

When can I take the CNRN exam?

ABNN gives the exam in three one-month windows a year. For 2026 it lists March, July and October, each with an application deadline about four weeks before the window opens.

Are these real CNRN exam questions?

No. All 46 were written for this page from the public outline and the public page each one names. ABNN's sample questions and review materials were not used.

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