CRRN Rehabilitation nursing certification
recognizing expertise supporting patient
recovery, functional independence, adaptation,
and long-term health outcomes.
Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient who had a stroke and is struggling to
accept their new limitations. The patient states, "I don't want to do therapy because
I'll never be able to walk again anyway." Which nursing theory would BEST guide
the nurse's approach to this situation?
A. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory
B. Roy's Adaptation Model
C. King's Theory of Goal Attainment
D. Neuman's Systems Model
Answer: B. Roy's Adaptation Model
Rationale: Roy's Adaptation Model focuses on how individuals adapt to changes
in their environment and health status. This patient is exhibiting maladaptive
coping related to their stroke. The nurse using Roy's model would assess the
patient's adaptive responses and implement interventions to promote positive
adaptation to their new circumstances. Orem's theory focuses on self-care deficits.
King's theory emphasizes mutual goal setting. Neuman's model focuses on stress
and the person's reaction to it.
Question 2
According to Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory, which intervention would be
MOST appropriate for a patient with a spinal cord injury who requires assistance
with activities of daily living?
A. Performing all ADLs for the patient to prevent frustration
B. Teaching the patient techniques to perform ADLs independently
C. Delegating all ADL care to unlicensed assistive personnel
D. Encouraging the patient to rely on family members for ADLs
,Answer: B. Teaching the patient techniques to perform ADLs independently
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory emphasizes that nursing care is
needed when individuals are unable to perform self-care activities independently.
The nurse's role is to provide education and support to enable the patient to achieve
maximum independence. Performing all ADLs would create dependence.
Delegating care without teaching does not promote independence. Relying on
family members does not address the patient's self-care abilities.
Question 3
A rehabilitation nurse is using the nursing process to plan care for a patient with a
traumatic brain injury. Which of the following represents the CORRECT order of
the nursing process steps?
A. Planning, Assessment, Implementation, Diagnosis, Evaluation
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Answer: B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
Rationale: The nursing process consists of five steps in a specific order:
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. Assessment is
the first step to gather data. Diagnosis identifies the problem. Planning establishes
goals and interventions. Implementation carries out the plan. Evaluation
determines the effectiveness of interventions. This systematic approach is
fundamental to rehabilitation nursing practice.
Question 4
A patient with a new spinal cord injury is grieving the loss of their mobility. The
nurse recognizes that the patient is in the anger stage of grief. Which nursing
intervention is MOST appropriate?
A. Redirect the patient's anger toward productive therapy
B. Allow the patient to express anger while maintaining a safe environment
C. Tell the patient that anger is not helpful to their recovery
D. Refer the patient to psychiatry for anger management
,Answer: B. Allow the patient to express anger while maintaining a safe
environment
Rationale: Grief and loss are normal responses to disability and chronic illness.
The nurse should allow the patient to express their feelings while ensuring a safe
environment. Redirecting anger may invalidate the patient's feelings. Telling the
patient that anger is unhelpful is dismissive. Referral to psychiatry may be needed
later but is not the first step.
Question 5
A rehabilitation nurse is implementing evidence-based practice on the unit. Which
of the following describes the FIRST step in the evidence-based practice process?
A. Implementing the change
B. Evaluating the outcomes
C. Formulating a clinical question
D. Searching the literature
Answer: C. Formulating a clinical question
Rationale: The evidence-based practice process begins with formulating a clinical
question (using the PICO format: Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome). This is followed by searching the literature, critically appraising
evidence, implementing changes, and evaluating outcomes. Formulating the
question is the foundational step that guides the entire process.
Question 6
Which nursing theorist is most closely associated with the concept of "self-care"
and "self-care deficits"?
A. Dorothea Orem
B. Sister Callista Roy
C. Imogene King
D. Betty Neuman
Answer: A. Dorothea Orem
Rationale: Dorothea Orem developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory, which is
foundational to rehabilitation nursing. The theory proposes that nursing care is
, needed when individuals are unable to perform self-care activities. Roy is
associated with the Adaptation Model. King is associated with the Theory of Goal
Attainment. Neuman is associated with the Systems Model.
Question 7
A patient with a spinal cord injury expresses frustration about being dependent on
others. According to King's Theory of Goal Attainment, which nursing action is
MOST appropriate?
A. Set goals for the patient independently
B. Collaborate with the patient to set mutually agreed-upon goals
C. Refer the patient to a support group
D. Encourage the patient to accept their dependence
Answer: B. Collaborate with the patient to set mutually agreed-upon goals
Rationale: King's Theory of Goal Attainment emphasizes the importance of
mutual goal setting between the nurse and patient. This collaborative approach
enhances patient engagement and motivation. Setting goals independently does not
involve the patient in their care. While support groups and acceptance are
important, they do not reflect the core principle of King's theory.
Question 8
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient who is having difficulty adjusting to a
new ostomy. The nurse uses a developmental theory to guide care. Which of the
following is the PRIMARY focus of developmental theories in rehabilitation?
A. Understanding age-related changes and tasks
B. Managing acute medical conditions
C. Administering medications
D. Coordinating discharge planning
Answer: A. Understanding age-related changes and tasks
Rationale: Developmental theories focus on understanding age-related changes
and developmental tasks across the lifespan. In rehabilitation, these theories help
nurses understand how patients at different developmental stages may respond to
disability and illness. Managing acute conditions, medication administration, and
recognizing expertise supporting patient
recovery, functional independence, adaptation,
and long-term health outcomes.
Question 1
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient who had a stroke and is struggling to
accept their new limitations. The patient states, "I don't want to do therapy because
I'll never be able to walk again anyway." Which nursing theory would BEST guide
the nurse's approach to this situation?
A. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory
B. Roy's Adaptation Model
C. King's Theory of Goal Attainment
D. Neuman's Systems Model
Answer: B. Roy's Adaptation Model
Rationale: Roy's Adaptation Model focuses on how individuals adapt to changes
in their environment and health status. This patient is exhibiting maladaptive
coping related to their stroke. The nurse using Roy's model would assess the
patient's adaptive responses and implement interventions to promote positive
adaptation to their new circumstances. Orem's theory focuses on self-care deficits.
King's theory emphasizes mutual goal setting. Neuman's model focuses on stress
and the person's reaction to it.
Question 2
According to Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory, which intervention would be
MOST appropriate for a patient with a spinal cord injury who requires assistance
with activities of daily living?
A. Performing all ADLs for the patient to prevent frustration
B. Teaching the patient techniques to perform ADLs independently
C. Delegating all ADL care to unlicensed assistive personnel
D. Encouraging the patient to rely on family members for ADLs
,Answer: B. Teaching the patient techniques to perform ADLs independently
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory emphasizes that nursing care is
needed when individuals are unable to perform self-care activities independently.
The nurse's role is to provide education and support to enable the patient to achieve
maximum independence. Performing all ADLs would create dependence.
Delegating care without teaching does not promote independence. Relying on
family members does not address the patient's self-care abilities.
Question 3
A rehabilitation nurse is using the nursing process to plan care for a patient with a
traumatic brain injury. Which of the following represents the CORRECT order of
the nursing process steps?
A. Planning, Assessment, Implementation, Diagnosis, Evaluation
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Answer: B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
Rationale: The nursing process consists of five steps in a specific order:
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. Assessment is
the first step to gather data. Diagnosis identifies the problem. Planning establishes
goals and interventions. Implementation carries out the plan. Evaluation
determines the effectiveness of interventions. This systematic approach is
fundamental to rehabilitation nursing practice.
Question 4
A patient with a new spinal cord injury is grieving the loss of their mobility. The
nurse recognizes that the patient is in the anger stage of grief. Which nursing
intervention is MOST appropriate?
A. Redirect the patient's anger toward productive therapy
B. Allow the patient to express anger while maintaining a safe environment
C. Tell the patient that anger is not helpful to their recovery
D. Refer the patient to psychiatry for anger management
,Answer: B. Allow the patient to express anger while maintaining a safe
environment
Rationale: Grief and loss are normal responses to disability and chronic illness.
The nurse should allow the patient to express their feelings while ensuring a safe
environment. Redirecting anger may invalidate the patient's feelings. Telling the
patient that anger is unhelpful is dismissive. Referral to psychiatry may be needed
later but is not the first step.
Question 5
A rehabilitation nurse is implementing evidence-based practice on the unit. Which
of the following describes the FIRST step in the evidence-based practice process?
A. Implementing the change
B. Evaluating the outcomes
C. Formulating a clinical question
D. Searching the literature
Answer: C. Formulating a clinical question
Rationale: The evidence-based practice process begins with formulating a clinical
question (using the PICO format: Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome). This is followed by searching the literature, critically appraising
evidence, implementing changes, and evaluating outcomes. Formulating the
question is the foundational step that guides the entire process.
Question 6
Which nursing theorist is most closely associated with the concept of "self-care"
and "self-care deficits"?
A. Dorothea Orem
B. Sister Callista Roy
C. Imogene King
D. Betty Neuman
Answer: A. Dorothea Orem
Rationale: Dorothea Orem developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory, which is
foundational to rehabilitation nursing. The theory proposes that nursing care is
, needed when individuals are unable to perform self-care activities. Roy is
associated with the Adaptation Model. King is associated with the Theory of Goal
Attainment. Neuman is associated with the Systems Model.
Question 7
A patient with a spinal cord injury expresses frustration about being dependent on
others. According to King's Theory of Goal Attainment, which nursing action is
MOST appropriate?
A. Set goals for the patient independently
B. Collaborate with the patient to set mutually agreed-upon goals
C. Refer the patient to a support group
D. Encourage the patient to accept their dependence
Answer: B. Collaborate with the patient to set mutually agreed-upon goals
Rationale: King's Theory of Goal Attainment emphasizes the importance of
mutual goal setting between the nurse and patient. This collaborative approach
enhances patient engagement and motivation. Setting goals independently does not
involve the patient in their care. While support groups and acceptance are
important, they do not reflect the core principle of King's theory.
Question 8
A rehabilitation nurse is caring for a patient who is having difficulty adjusting to a
new ostomy. The nurse uses a developmental theory to guide care. Which of the
following is the PRIMARY focus of developmental theories in rehabilitation?
A. Understanding age-related changes and tasks
B. Managing acute medical conditions
C. Administering medications
D. Coordinating discharge planning
Answer: A. Understanding age-related changes and tasks
Rationale: Developmental theories focus on understanding age-related changes
and developmental tasks across the lifespan. In rehabilitation, these theories help
nurses understand how patients at different developmental stages may respond to
disability and illness. Managing acute conditions, medication administration, and
