CGRN Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CGRN exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CGRN Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CGRN Topics to Study (47)
✍️ Sample CGRN Questions & Answers
1. Which diabetes medications should be held on the morning of endoscopy?
Sulfonylureas and prandial insulin stimulate insulin release or cover meals, risking hypoglycemia during fasting.
2. Which complication is most associated with prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?
Long-term PPI use is associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection due to the reduction of gastric acid, which normally serves as a barrier to colonization. Other associations include hypomagnesemia and vitamin B12 deficiency, but C. diff is a well-documented infectious complication.
3. The landmark 1932 paper first describing regional ileitis — now called Crohn's disease — was authored by how many physicians?
The 1932 JAMA paper was co-authored by three physicians: Burrill Crohn, Leon Ginzburg, and Gordon Oppenheimer. The disease was named after Crohn because his name appeared first alphabetically.
4. A 58-year-old male is scheduled for an EGD to evaluate dysphagia. He has a history of type 2 diabetes and takes metformin. Which pre-procedure instruction by the CGRN is most appropriate?
Due to the administration of sedation during an EGD, the patient's judgment and reflexes will be impaired. It is a standard safety protocol that the patient must have a responsible adult to drive them home. Patients are typically NPO for 6-8 hours for solids and at least 2 hours for clear liquids. Instructions regarding medications like metformin and aspirin require specific physician orders based on the patient's condition.
5. What is the recommended hand hygiene practice immediately before and after every endoscopic procedure?
CDC and WHO recommend alcohol-based hand rub or antimicrobial soap handwashing for at least 20 seconds before and after patient contact.
6. A CGRN is preparing reusable biopsy forceps for the next procedure. According to the Spaulding classification system, what is the required level of reprocessing for this accessory?
The Spaulding classification categorizes medical devices based on infection risk. Biopsy forceps are considered 'critical' items because they break the mucosal barrier and enter sterile tissue. Critical items require sterilization, which is the complete destruction of all microbial life, including bacterial spores.