My CRRN Study Guide Accountability Thread

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

As some of you may know, an accountability thread is one that has been started to keep the originator focused on the goal and accountable to themselves. Hence, this is my personal accountability thread for all to see as I study to take the certified rehabilitation registered nurse (CRRN) exam.

I wish to hold myself to some public accountability as I pursue this certification. Essentially, my plan is to revisit this thread a minimum of twice weekly to post my progress. Also, I hope to post some self-created practice questions based on what I have learned, somewhat similar to the Quizlet site.

Here are the facts. The test can only be taken in June and December. My test date is December 29. I have been self-studying via an Ebook that I purchased that contains 700 practice questions. I have also been using Quizlet. In addition, I attended a CRRN prep course that was sponsored by my workplace.

If you are planning to take this certification exam in December or June, or if you have any questions or comments, feel free to post.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

1. Patient AB's detrusor muscle is overactive. Based on this information, the nurse knows that which bodily system is affected?

A. Gastrointestinal

B. Genitourinary

C. Respiratory

D. Integumentary

ANSWER: B - Genitourinary

The detrusor is the smooth muscle found within the urinary bladder's wall. The detrusor muscle normally relaxes during the time that the bladder is filling with urine. The detrusor muscle contracts to expel urine during a process called urination, a.k.a. voiding, a.k.a. micturition.

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2. The micturition reflex is coordinated by which of the following?

A. Coccygeal plexus

B. Detrusor muscle

C. Occipital lobe

D. The pons

ANSWER: D - The pons

The micturition reflex is a chain of events that lead to micturition, a.k.a. urination: sphincter relaxation, contraction of the urinary bladder, opening of the urethra, and commencement of urine expulsion. This reflex is a neurological occurrence that is coordinated by the pontine micturition center, an area of the pons.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

3. Thelma, a 68-year-old ambulatory female, was admitted to the rehabilitation unit with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the right hip. Based on this information, what type of gait is she most likely to exhibit?

A. Antalgic

B. Ataxic

C. Apraxic

D. Polyarthritic

ANSWER: A - Antalgic

Antalgic gait is the manner of walking displayed by patients when they want to avoid placing weight on one of their legs due to pain. It is characterized by a limping appearance due to a significantly shorter stance phase of gait than normal.

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4. Harold, a 65-year-old male, is now covered by Medicare. What types of services are covered by Medicare Part B?

A. Prescription medication coverage

B. Inpatient hospitalization services

C. Outpatient services

D. Hospice services

ANSWER: C - Outpatient hospitalization services

Medicare Part B is optional coverage that pays for outpatient services such as preventive care, doctors' office visits, chemotherapy, laboratory testing, diagnostic testing, and durable medical equipment. Medicare Part A pays for inpatient stays at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Part C refers to the Medicare Advantage supplemental plans that are optional. Part D is also optional and provides coverage to pay for prescription drugs.

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5. Danielle, an 18-year-old female, is receiving rehabilitative services at a local rehabilitation hospital after sustaining severe injuries in a motor vehicle accident three weeks ago. Nursing staff must set all her meal trays up. The nurse uses this information to assign which score on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) to the category of 'eating'?

A. 3

B. 4

C. 5

D. 6

ANSWER: C - 5

A score of 5 on the FIM assessment is indicative of a patient who requires supervision or setup to complete the task. The 18 components covered by the FIM instrument include 13 motor tasks, such as eating, and five cognitive assessments. All 18 FIM components receive scores ranging from 1 to 7, based on the patient's actual functional at that point in time. A score of 1 translates into total dependence, whereas a 7 means total independence. Hence, the higher the FIM score, the higher the patient's functional ability at that point in time.

  • Score of 1 - Total Dependence (Patient performs 0% to 24% of task)
  • Score of 2 - Maximal Assistance (Patient performs 25% to 49% of task)
  • Score of 3 - Moderate Assistance (Patient performs 50% to 74% of task)
  • Score of 4 - Minimal Assistance (Patient performs 75% or more of task)
  • Score of 5 - Setup / Supervision (Patient performs task with cueing, coaxing or setup assistance)
  • Score of 6 - Modified Independence (Patient performs task with assistance of a device or medication)
  • Score of 7 - Complete Independence (Patient performs task independently)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

6. Which of the following nursing actions best displays the ethical principle of veracity?

A. The nurse assures the patient who experienced a hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that he will completely recover.

B. The nurse informs the patient who will undergo a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery that she will experience postsurgical pain.

C. The nurse tells the family of the patient with newly diagnosed quadriplegia at the C4 level that everything will be alright.

D. The nurse promises the patient with end-stage liver disease secondary to longstanding alcohol dependence that he will receive a liver transplantation.

ANSWER: B - The nurse informs the patient who will undergo a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery that she will experience postsurgical pain.

Veracity, a synonym for truthfulness, is the ethical principle that obligates physicians, nurses and other members of healthcare staff to be honest. Informing a patient that postsurgical pain is an expected finding is an example of honesty. The other options involve false reassurances or promises that cannot be kept.

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7. The 21-year-old patient with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus insists, "I am not doing as badly as the doctor says." What is the best response from the nurse?

A. "Your nephrologist knows best."

B. "Your blood glucose levels have been consistently high for many years; as a result, you have developed irreversible damage to your kidneys and eyes."

C. "At times it can be really difficult for the nephrologist to determine a patient's condition based on signs, symptoms and lab results."

D. "Your nephrologist is concerned about the damage that has been done to your kidneys over time, but you can prevent further damage by maintaining tight control over your blood glucose levels."

ANSWER: D - "Your nephrologist is concerned about the damage that has been done to your kidneys over time, but you can prevent further damage by maintaining tight control over your blood glucose levels."

Furnish information to the patient in an understandable manner that upholds hope, and at the same time, provides honest realism to address the issue.

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8. Which of the following spinal cord injury (SCI) patients would be able to drive an automobile?

A. Complete injury at the C2 level

B. Complete injury at the C3 level

C. Complete injury at the C4 level

D. Complete injury at the C5 level

ANSWER: D - Complete injury at the C5 level

Persons with quadriplegia at the C5 level are able to drive automobiles that have been modified to include special hand controls. Be aware that quadriplegia is also called tetraplegia in some texts and sources.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

UPDATE: I passed the CRRN certification examination this morning! This is exciting for me! I will post a comprehensive CRRN study guide in the coming months.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
UPDATE: I passed the CRRN certification examination this morning! This is exciting for me! I will post a comprehensive CRRN study guide in the coming months.

Congratulations!

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UPDATE: I passed the CRRN certification examination this morning! This is exciting for me! I will post a comprehensive CRRN study guide in the coming months.

That is great! I would love to read the study guide you put together.

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Hi, I'm taking the exam this June and would like any advice you can give me. I just ordered the new set of flashcards from AARN but would like to do as many practice questions as possible. What else should I do to help prepare? Thanks.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Psych, Long Term Care, Rehab.

Congratz! Was wondering if you ever put together that study guide

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Congratz! Was wondering if you ever put together that study guide
Unfortunately, I haven't. However, I'll get around to it someday when I'm so bored that I can feel my mind becoming numb.
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Specializes in Infection Prevention& Control, Occupational Health.

Congats, Commuter!!

I am considering taking the CRRN exam again ( I took and passed it in '91 then missed the renewal ..ugh!). I have an option to take the CCM or CRRN exam. I think I would be more likely to pass the CRRN exam.

I attended an in-class review course for the CA NCLEX exam and it was excellent!!I am certain it helped me pass. Are there any in-class /instructor led prep classes for CRRN exam?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Are there any in-class /instructor led prep classes for CRRN exam?
Yes, but you might need to travel out of city or out of state in order to attend one of these instructor-led courses. I attended a weekend-long one that was conducted by my employer and had to travel out of the city where I reside to get to it.
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