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Exam Review

Key Facts: CNRN Exam

220

Total Items

ABNN CNRN exam page

200 + 20

Scored + Unscored

ABNN CNRN exam page

200

Minimum Passing Score (scaled)

ABNN CNRN exam page

Exam Time

ABNN CNRN exam page

$300/$400

Member / Nonmember Fee

ABNN CNRN exam page

62%

Pass Rate, Past 5 Years

ABNN CNRN exam page

1 year

Required Neuroscience Experience

ABNN CNRN eligibility

5 years

Recertification Cycle

ABNN 2027 CNRN Candidate Handbook

ABNN's CNRN exam consists of 220 multiple-choice questions (200 scored + 20 unscored pretest) delivered over 4 hours. The exam uses scaled scoring with a minimum passing score of 200. The three content areas are Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnosis (91 items), Patient Management (76 items), and Multidisciplinary Care (33 items). ABNN requires 1 year of full-time neuroscience nursing practice as an RN within the last 3 years.

Sample CNRN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CNRN exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 242+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which structure connects the two cerebral hemispheres and allows communication between them?

A.Corpus callosum

B.Fornix

C.Anterior commissure

D.Posterior commissure

Explanation: The corpus callosum is the largest white matter structure in the brain, consisting of approximately 200 million myelinated axons that connect the left and right cerebral hemispheres. It allows for transfer of sensory, motor, and cognitive information between hemispheres. The fornix connects the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies and is part of the limbic system.

2A patient has difficulty understanding spoken language but can speak fluently. Which area of the brain is most likely affected?

A.Broca's area

B.Wernicke's area

C.Angular gyrus

D.Supramarginal gyrus

Explanation: Wernicke's area, located in the posterior superior temporal gyrus of the dominant hemisphere (usually left), is responsible for language comprehension. Damage results in receptive aphasia where patients can speak fluently but with poor content and cannot understand spoken or written language. Broca's area damage causes expressive aphasia with non-fluent speech but preserved comprehension.

3Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

A.Frontal lobe

B.Parietal lobe

C.Temporal lobe

D.Occipital lobe

Explanation: The occipital lobe, located at the posterior pole of the cerebrum, contains the primary visual cortex (Brodmann area 17) and visual association areas. It processes visual stimuli including color, form, and motion. The frontal lobe controls executive functions, the parietal lobe processes sensory information, and the temporal lobe handles auditory processing and memory.

4The blood-brain barrier is formed primarily by which cellular structures?

A.Astrocyte foot processes

B.Tight junctions between endothelial cells

C.Oligodendrocyte membranes

D.Microglial cells

Explanation: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is primarily formed by tight junctions between capillary endothelial cells in the cerebral vasculature. These tight junctions prevent paracellular diffusion of hydrophilic substances. Astrocytes contribute to BBB maintenance through foot processes that wrap around capillaries, but the barrier itself is at the endothelial level.

5Which structure is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and posture?

A.Basal ganglia

B.Cerebellum

C.Thalamus

D.Hypothalamus

Explanation: The cerebellum, located posterior to the brainstem and inferior to the occipital lobes, coordinates voluntary movements, maintains posture and balance, and contributes to motor learning. The basal ganglia are involved in movement initiation and inhibition. The thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory information, and the hypothalamus regulates autonomic and endocrine functions.

6A lesion in which area would most likely cause contralateral hemiparesis of the face, arm, and leg?

A.Internal capsule

B.Cerebellar hemisphere

C.Brainstem

D.Parietal cortex

Explanation: The internal capsule contains the corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts in a concentrated arrangement. A lesion here typically causes contralateral hemiparesis affecting the face, arm, and leg equally. The anterior limb carries frontopontine fibers and thalamocortical projections, while the posterior limb carries the corticospinal tract with face and arm fibers anterior to leg fibers.

7Which ventricle is located between the brainstem and the cerebellum?

A.Lateral ventricle

B.Third ventricle

C.Cerebral aqueduct

D.Fourth ventricle

Explanation: The fourth ventricle is a diamond-shaped cavity located anterior to the cerebellum and posterior to the pons and upper medulla oblongata. CSF flows from the cerebral aqueduct into the fourth ventricle and exits through the lateral (foramina of Luschka) and median (foramen of Magendie) apertures into the subarachnoid space.

8Which cranial nerve is tested when assessing pupillary response to light?

A.CN II and CN III

B.CN II only

C.CN III only

D.CN IV and CN VI

Explanation: The pupillary light reflex involves both CN II (optic) and CN III (oculomotor). CN II carries the afferent (sensory) signal from the retina to the pretectal area of the midbrain. CN III carries the efferent (motor) signal to the sphincter pupillae muscle causing pupillary constriction. Testing the direct and consensual light reflexes evaluates both nerves.

9A patient presents with difficulty with downward and inward eye movement. Which cranial nerve is affected?

A.CN III (Oculomotor)

B.CN IV (Trochlear)

C.CN VI (Abducens)

D.CN V (Trigeminal)

Explanation: CN IV (Trochlear nerve) innervates the superior oblique muscle, which enables the eye to move downward when adducted (looking toward the nose). Patients with trochlear nerve palsy often present with vertical diplopia that worsens when looking downward (e.g., walking down stairs) and a compensatory head tilt away from the affected side.

10The gag reflex tests which cranial nerves?

A.CN IX and X

B.CN VII and VIII

C.CN V and VII

D.CN X and XI

Explanation: The gag reflex involves CN IX (glossopharyngeal) for the afferent (sensory) limb from the posterior pharynx and CN X (vagus) for the efferent (motor) limb causing pharyngeal muscle contraction. Testing this reflex helps assess brainstem function, particularly in patients with altered consciousness or suspected brain death.

About the CNRN Exam

CNRN is ABNN's specialty certification for registered nurses providing care to patients with neurological conditions across the care continuum. The exam covers anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis; patient management; and multidisciplinary care in neuroscience nursing.

Exam sponsor: ABNN (American Board of Neuroscience Nursing). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

220 questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

Scaled score 200 (minimum passing)

Exam / Certification Fees

$300 AANN members / $400 non-members

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 62%. Over the past 5 years (ABNN CNRN exam page); 2024: 181 of 321 passed This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

45.5% (91 items)

Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnosis

Trauma, cerebrovascular disease, neuro-oncology, infection and immune complications, neurodevelopmental conditions, and neurological disorders

38% (76 items)

Patient Management

Physiological, behavioral, and safety interventions

16.5% (33 items)

Multidisciplinary Care

Quality of life and health care management

Preparing for the CNRN Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled score 200 (minimum passing)
Exam length: 220 questions
Time limit: 4 hours
Exam / certification fees: $300 AANN members / $400 non-members Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 242 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CNRN: Suggested Study Strategy

1Study by the ABNN outline - Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnosis (91 of 200 scored items) is the largest area, followed by Patient Management (76)

2Master neurological assessment including GCS, pupillary assessment, and motor/sensory examination

3Know intracranial pressure management including monitoring, waveforms, and interventions for increased ICP

4Understand stroke interventions including IV tPA eligibility, mechanical thrombectomy, and post-intervention care

5Study seizure classifications, status epilepticus management, and antiepileptic drug nursing considerations

6Review spinal cord injury levels and their functional implications, including autonomic dysreflexia recognition

7Practice differentiating types of cerebral edema and appropriate nursing interventions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CNRN exam?

ABNN lists 220 total items: 200 scored items and 20 unscored pretest items. You have 4 hours to complete the exam.

What score do I need to pass CNRN?

ABNN uses scaled scoring with a minimum passing score of 200. The exact number of correct answers needed varies based on exam form difficulty.

How long is the CNRN exam?

ABNN lists a 4-hour testing appointment for CNRN.

How much does CNRN cost?

ABNN's current CNRN fees are $300 for AANN members and $400 for non-members.

Who can take the CNRN exam?

ABNN requires a current, unrestricted RN license and at least 1 year full-time (2,080 hours) of direct or indirect neuroscience nursing practice as an RN in the last 3 years. Indirect practice includes clinical supervision of students or staff, research, or consultation.

How often do I renew CNRN?

CNRN certification is effective for 5 years and expires on December 31 of the fifth year after certification. You can recertify by completing continuing education hours or by retaking the exam.

What content does the CNRN exam cover?

The current CNRN content outline, based on ABNN's 2024 job analysis and used since the July 2025 exam window, has 3 areas: Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnosis (91 items), Patient Management (76 items), and Multidisciplinary Care (33 items).