CNRN study plan
CNRN · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Neuroanatomy and Physiology
Label the major cerebral lobes, deep structures, brainstem levels, and spinal tracts on a blank diagram from memory
Trace CSF production, circulation, and reabsorption, and state where obstruction produces hydrocephalus
Explain the blood-brain barrier, cerebral autoregulation, and how each is disrupted in injury
Match all 12 cranial nerves to their function and a bedside test for each
Your checkpoint
Hand-drawn, fully annotated brain and CSF diagram scored against a rubric with no more than 3 errors, plus a 25-item self-quiz at or above 80%
Neuroanatomy and Physiology & Acute Neurological Injury and Neurosurgical Care
Apply the Monro-Kellie hypothesis to predict how each intracranial compartment compensates for a mass
Differentiate supratentorial, transtentorial, and tonsillar herniation by clinical signs
Classify traumatic brain injury by mechanism, morphology, and severity
Relate cranial nerve and brainstem anatomy to the exam findings expected with each herniation syndrome
Your checkpoint
One-page ICP and herniation reference sheet with a sign-to-syndrome decision table, self-tested to 90% accuracy
Acute Neurological Injury and Neurosurgical Care
Compare assessment and management priorities for traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intracerebral hemorrhage
Describe external ventricular drain setup, leveling, zeroing, and infection-prevention practices
Sequence pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative nursing care for craniotomy patients
Detect early signs of post-operative complications including hemorrhage, edema, seizure, and CSF leak
Explain indications for decompressive craniectomy and timing of hyperosmolar therapy
Your checkpoint
Written set of 15 case-based acute-injury questions with rationales and cited rationales, scoring at or above 85% on first attempt
Neurological Assessment and Monitoring
Perform and document the Glasgow Coma Scale, pupillary exam, and corneal reflexes consistently
Administer and interpret the NIH Stroke Scale across its 11 elements
Compute cerebral perfusion pressure and interpret ICP waveform morphology and trends
Compare indications and nursing implications for EEG, transcranial Doppler, and brain tissue oxygen monitoring
Distinguish acute delirium from baseline neurological change using a structured screening tool
Your checkpoint
Ten timed neurological assessment drills scored against an answer key, with at least 9 of 10 at or above 90% accuracy
Neurological Assessment and Monitoring & Neurodiagnostics, Pharmacology, and Patient Safety
Interpret sodium, osmolality, glucose, and acid-base findings that alter neurological status
Classify antiepileptic drugs by mechanism, monitoring parameter, and key adverse effect
Differentiate mannitol from hypertonic saline by indication, route, monitoring, and risk
Apply high-alert medication double-check and time-critical thrombolytic safety steps
Identify monitoring parameters for patients on continuous sedation or neuromuscular blockade
Your checkpoint
Neuropharmacology table covering 20 agents with indication, monitoring, and nursing precaution, self-quizzed to 85% or higher
Chronic Neurological Disorders and Neurorehabilitation
Differentiate multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and Guillain-Barre syndrome by onset, progression, and hallmark findings
Write functional goals for mobility, self-care, and cognition in a neurorehabilitation plan
Teach bowel, bladder, spasticity, and skin-management strategies to patients and caregivers
Design a fall-prevention and seizure-precaution plan for a patient with chronic neurological disease
Screen for dysphagia and describe safe-feeding modifications
Your checkpoint
Two complete patient-teaching outlines with measurable rehabilitation goals, verified against a 10-point completeness checklist
Neurodiagnostics, Pharmacology, and Patient Safety & Chronic Neurological Disorders and Neurorehabilitation
Compare indications, contraindications, and pre/post care for CT, MRI, EEG, PET, and lumbar puncture
Apply radiation and contrast safety principles to neurodiagnostic ordering and patient education
Integrate medication reconciliation and safety checks into a chronic neurological care plan
Evaluate rehabilitation progress using standardized functional scales
Your checkpoint
Forty-question mixed practice exam on diagnostics, pharmacology, and safety, scoring at or above 75% with an itemized missed-question log
Neuroanatomy and Physiology & Neurological Assessment and Monitoring & Acute Neurological Injury and Neurosurgical Care & Chronic Neurological Disorders and Neurorehabilitation & Neurodiagnostics, Pharmacology, and Patient Safety
Re-test the lowest-scoring content areas from weeks 1 through 7 and rewrite weak reference sheets
Complete a full-length timed simulated examination under test-day conditions
Review every missed item and classify each error as knowledge, misreading, or reasoning
Consolidate all one-page reference sheets into a single final review packet
Your checkpoint
Completed 150-question timed practice examination with a remediation log showing a 10-point or greater gain over the week-7 score
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 80% on a 30-question quiz covering neuroanatomy and acute injury pathophysiology, and rewrite any missed concept on the reference sheet
Week 4: Demonstrate three uninterrupted neurological assessments, including GCS, pupillary exam, and NIHSS, at or above 90% accuracy
Week 6: Achieve 80% or higher on a combined 50-question set from domains 1 through 4, with no domain scoring below 70%
Week 8: Score at least 75% on the full-length timed examination and show a documented gain from the week-7 baseline