CNRN Exam

The Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse examination, commonly known as the CNRN Exam, is a challenging and comprehensive assessment for men and women who want to enter this exciting area of healthcare. The exam covers the following areas of trauma: traumatic brain injury (blast, bunt, penetrating); hematoma (chronic subdural, acute subdural, epidural); diffuse axonal injury; contusions; fractures (spinal column, skull); spinal cord injury; herniated nucleus pulposus; peripheral nerve injury; and repetitive stress injury (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar/cervical strain).

The following cerebrovascular events are covered by the exam: transient ischemic attack; aneurysm; arterio-venous malformation; arterio-venous fistula; carotid stenosis; cavernous angiomas; dural arterial-venous fistula; carotid dissection; ischemic stroke (thrombotic, embolic, lacunar); hemorrhagic stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage); and headaches (acute, chronic).

Regarding tumors, the CNRN exam addresses brain tumors (neuroepithelial tissue, cranial and spinal nerves, meningeal and related tissues, hematopoietic, pituitary, metastatic, and other) and spinal cord tumors (primary, metastatic, neurofibroma). With respect to immune/infection issues, the exam covers abscesses; amytrophic lateral sclerosis; AIDS; Bell's palsy; encephalitis; Guillain-Barre; meningitis (viral, bacterial, fungal origin); multiple sclerosis; and myasthenia gravis. Regarding seizures, the exam addresses partial seizures, generalized seizures, status epilepticus, and pseudoseizures. The developmental and degenerative conditions covered by the CNRN exam include Arnold-Chiari malformation; cerebral palsy; hydrocephalus (communicating, obstructive, normal pressure); spina bifida; myelomeningocoele; and Down syndrome. This section also covers attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; dementia (Alzheimer's disease, vascular); dystonia; Parkinson's disease; peripheral neuropathy; benign essential tremor; degenerative spine disease (degenerative disk disease, vertebral compression fractures, lumbar spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis); craniosynostosis; and balance and dizziness disorders (e.g., Meniere's disease, Freiedrich's ataxia). Other disorders covered by the exam include trigeminal neuralgia; sleep disorders; toxic encephalopathies; delirium; pain (acute, chronic); and chemical dependency.