CRRN Exam Prep: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (RNCB) Study Guide + 3,000+ Practice Questions

An 82-year-old patient is three days post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty using a posterior surgical approach. The nurse is assessing the patient’s ability to transfer from a sitting to a standing position. Which observation during the assessment indicates that the patient is correctly following essential safety precautions for this specific surgical technique?

A patient with expressive aphasia becomes visibly frustrated and withdraws from social interactions in the rehabilitation dining room because they cannot quickly communicate their meal choices. Which technique should the rehabilitation nurse implement to support the patient’s social and behavioral adaptation?

A patient with a traumatic brain injury insists they are ready to return to high-speed driving despite significant deficits in reaction time and visual processing. The patient becomes defensive when the clinical team discusses the results of the neuropsychological evaluation. Which approach best facilitates the patient’s behavioral adaptation to these limitations?

During a grooming session, a patient with a right-hemisphere stroke and left-sided neglect consistently fails to shave the left side of their face despite having the motor function to do so. The patient is preparing for discharge to an assisted living facility. Which adaptation technique promotes long-term independence for this patient?

A 45-year-old patient recovering from a frontal lobe injury demonstrates difficulty with self-monitoring and planning during vocational retraining tasks. The patient completes tasks quickly but with numerous errors and fails to check the work. Which metacognitive strategy is most appropriate to improve the patient’s functional accuracy?

A patient with a traumatic brain injury is at Rancho Los Amigos Level IV and exhibits increasing physical restlessness and verbal aggression when the rehabilitation gym becomes crowded. The family is present and expresses distress over the patient’s behavior. Which nursing intervention most effectively addresses the patient’s behavioral adaptation needs?

A 62-year-old patient at Rancho Los Amigos Level VII post-stroke experiences significant mental fatigue when following a multi-step recipe in the kitchen. The nurse observes the patient skipping steps and becoming irritable after twenty minutes of activity. Which adaptation technique best supports the patient’s cognitive endurance and task completion?

A patient with a new diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome has regained the ability to ambulate short distances with a rolling walker and is preparing for discharge. The patient’s home has several steps at the entrance and the bedroom is on the second floor. What is the most effective way for the rehabilitation nurse to validate the discharge plan’s safety?

A 75-year-old patient with a recent hip fracture and mild cognitive impairment is being discharged to an assisted living facility. The patient is mobile with a walker but is at high risk for falls due to occasional disorientation. Which discharge strategy focuses on the most critical safety element for this patient’s community reintegration?

A rehabilitation nurse is coordinating the discharge of a 55-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis who is returning to a high-pressure corporate job. The patient reports significant heat sensitivity and mid-afternoon fatigue that interferes with cognitive tasks. Which recommendation is most appropriate for the nurse to include in the vocational reintegration plan?

A 35-year-old patient with a traumatic brain injury is transitioning from a highly structured inpatient unit to a community-based residential program. The patient demonstrates impulsive behavior and requires frequent redirection for safety during grooming tasks. To support the patient’s successful reintegration into a less restrictive environment, which intervention should the rehabilitation nurse prioritize in the discharge plan?

A 68-year-old patient who recently experienced a left-hemisphere stroke is being discharged to live with an elderly spouse. The patient has residual right-sided hemiparesis and expressive aphasia but has met all basic physical therapy goals. During a discharge planning meeting, the spouse expresses significant anxiety about managing the patient’s complex care needs alone. Which strategy should the rehabilitation nurse implement to ensure a safe transition?

A 42-year-old patient with a T10 complete spinal cord injury is preparing for discharge to a rural home after three months in inpatient rehabilitation. The patient expresses concern about navigating the gravel driveway and a narrow bathroom doorway while using a manual wheelchair. Which action by the rehabilitation nurse best facilitates a successful community reintegration for this individual?

A 25-year-old patient with a C6 spinal cord injury is learning to perform a level-surface transfer from a bed to a manual wheelchair. The nurse is teaching the patient how to use their upper body to compensate for the lack of triceps function. Which technique should the nurse emphasize to ensure a successful and stable transfer?

A patient with advanced Parkinson’s disease experiences frequent “freezing” episodes when attempting to initiate a transfer from a wheelchair to a therapy mat. The rehabilitation nurse observes the patient struggling to move their feet despite their intent to stand. Which intervention should the nurse use to help the patient overcome this motor block?

A 42-year-old male with a T6 spinal cord injury (SCI) three months post-injury is participating in a bowel retraining program. He reports consistent success with digital stimulation and a suppository every other morning, but he has recently experienced three episodes of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) during the procedure. His blood pressure rises significantly when the rectum is distended, and he reports a pounding headache. Which modification to the bowel program is most appropriate to manage these episodes while maintaining the current schedule?

A patient recovering from a severe flare of a chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy is practicing sliding board transfers from the bed to a commode. The nurse notes that the patient has fragile skin and significant muscle atrophy in the gluteal region. Which modification to the transfer technique is most essential to prevent tissue trauma during the sliding process?

A 68-year-old patient who is ten days post-stroke presents with right-sided hemiplegia and expressive aphasia. The rehabilitation nurse is preparing the patient for a bed-to-chair transfer. To maximize safety and utilize the patient’s remaining motor function during the transition, how should the nurse position the wheelchair and initiate the movement?

A 32-year-old patient with a T10 complete spinal cord injury is in the subacute phase of rehabilitation and is practicing transfers from a manual wheelchair to a standard sedan. The patient has achieved independent sitting balance but struggles with the gap between the wheelchair and the car seat. Which transfer method is most appropriate to facilitate independence while protecting the patient’s upper extremity joints?

A patient with a history of peripheral artery disease and diabetes mellitus is admitted to the rehabilitation unit. The nurse notes a pressure injury on the lateral malleolus that is covered with dry, black, intact eschar without any signs of erythema, fluctuance, or drainage. What is the most appropriate management for this specific wound?

A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient with a Stage 3 pressure injury on the coccyx that contains approximately 40% yellow slough and 60% red granulation tissue. The wound has moderate serosanguinous drainage. Which dressing selection best supports the principles of moist wound healing and autolytic debridement for this patient?

During a skin assessment of an 82-year-old patient with dementia and a fractured hip, the nurse identifies a localized area of purple discoloration that is intact but feels boggy compared to the surrounding tissue. The patient is currently using a standard hospital mattress and requires total assistance for bed mobility. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for this finding?

A 55-year-old patient with advanced multiple sclerosis and significant lower extremity spasticity is admitted for rehabilitation. The nurse notes that the patient has limited range of motion and spends most of the day in a reclined position due to fatigue. Upon assessment, the heels are found to be reddened but blanchable, and the patient has a serum albumin level of 2.8 g/dL. Which action should the rehabilitation nurse prioritize?

A 74-year-old patient with right-sided hemiplegia following an ischemic stroke is participating in three hours of daily intensive therapy. The nurse observes that the patient frequently slides down in the wheelchair during seated activities and has developed a 2cm superficial, open blister with a red-pink wound bed on the left ischial tuberosity. What is the most effective strategy to manage this specific clinical presentation?

A 68-year-old patient with a T10 complete spinal cord injury and a Braden Scale score of 12 is being transitioned from an acute care setting to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The patient presents with a non-blanchable, intact area of erythema over the sacrum and reports a history of frequent moisture-associated skin damage due to neurogenic bowel incontinence. Which intervention is most appropriate to incorporate into the comprehensive plan of care to prevent further skin breakdown?

A 28-year-old male with a C7 spinal cord injury is being educated on long-term bowel management. He has an upper motor neuron (reflex) bowel. He currently uses a chemical stimulant suppository and digital stimulation. He asks why he cannot just use laxatives every day to make the process easier. What is the most accurate clinical rationale the nurse should provide regarding the avoidance of chronic stimulant laxative use?

A 72-year-old patient with a recent stroke and resultant cognitive impairment is struggling with functional urinary incontinence. The patient is mobile with a walker but often forgets to go to the bathroom until it is too late, leading to large-volume accidents. The skin in the perineal area is intact but erythematous. Which behavioral intervention is most appropriate for the rehabilitation nurse to implement to promote continence and skin integrity?

A 58-year-old male with a history of a complete L2 spinal cord injury presents with a flaccid bladder and chronic stress incontinence. He is currently using a condom catheter, but he reports frequent leaking during transfers and skin maceration on the penile shaft. He prefers a management strategy that allows for maximum independence and minimizes the risk of long-term renal complications. Which management strategy should the rehabilitation nurse recommend?

A 35-year-old female with a T10 complete spinal cord injury is six months into her recovery and reports frequent bowel accidents between her scheduled evening sessions. She follows a high-fiber diet and maintains adequate hydration. Her current regimen includes a stimulant suppository followed by digital stimulation. She notes that her stools are consistently Type 4 on the Bristol Stool Scale, but she often has “oozing” during physical therapy in the afternoons. Which adjustment is most likely to improve her fecal continence?

A 65-year-old female with multiple sclerosis and a neurogenic overactive bladder is experiencing frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and worsening urge incontinence. She currently manages her bladder with timed voiding and fluid restriction, but her post-void residual (PVR) volumes have increased to 250 mL. The rehabilitation nurse is revising the care plan to prioritize bladder emptying and mucosal health. Which intervention should be integrated into her daily routine to best meet these clinical goals?