CRNI Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CRNI 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.

📋 CRNI Exam Format at a Glance

140

Questions

150 min

Time Limit

70%

Passing Score

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📚 CRNI Topics to Study (57)

Pain Management and Analgesic Infusion Therapy · 7 cards Pain Management and Analgesic Infusion Therapy · 7 cards Pain Management and Analgesic Infusion Therapy · 7 cards Blood Transfusion · 7 cards Fluid and Electrolyte Balance · 7 cards Infection Control · 7 cards Antineoplastic and Biologic Therapies · 6 cards Antineoplastic and Biologic Therapies · 6 cards Antineoplastic and Biologic Therapies · 6 cards Blood Component Transfusion · 6 cards Blood Component Transfusion · 6 cards Blood Component Transfusion · 6 cards Blood Transfusion · 6 cards Blood Transfusion · 6 cards CRNI Central Venous Access Devices Practice Test · 6 cards CRNI Central Venous Access Devices Practice Test · 6 cards CRNI Central Venous Access Devices Practice Test · 6 cards CRNI Home Infusion Therapy and Patient Education · 6 cards CRNI Home Infusion Therapy and Patient Education · 6 cards CRNI Home Infusion Therapy and Patient Education · 6 cards CRNI Peripheral Vascular Access and IV Site Management · 6 cards CRNI Peripheral Vascular Access and IV Site Management · 6 cards CRNI Peripheral Vascular Access and IV Site Management · 6 cards Fluid and Electrolyte Balance · 6 cards Fluid and Electrolyte Balance · 6 cards Infection Control · 6 cards Infection Control · 6 cards Infection Prevention and Control · 6 cards Infection Prevention and Control · 6 cards Infection Prevention and Control · 6 cards

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✍️ Sample CRNI Questions & Answers

1. What is the standard lockout interval for most morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) programs?

✓ 5–10 minutes

A 5–10 minute lockout interval is standard for IV morphine PCA, allowing time to assess the effect of each demand dose before another can be delivered.

2. What is the CRNI's responsibility regarding medication compatibility when multiple IV infusions run simultaneously?

✓ Verify Y-site and additive compatibility before co-administration using current references

The CRNI must verify both Y-site and additive compatibility using current, drug-specific references before any co-administration to prevent precipitation, degradation, or toxicity.

3. What is the most important consideration when selecting an infusion pump for pediatric therapy?

✓ Ability to deliver in increments of 0.1 mL/hr or less

The ability to deliver fluid in very small increments (0.1 mL/hr or less) is the most critical feature of a pediatric infusion pump. This precision prevents fluid overload and ensures accurate medication dosing, which is essential given the narrow therapeutic margins in children.

4. Which laboratory test confirms an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction?

✓ Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)

The direct antiglobulin test detects antibodies or complement attached to the patient's red blood cells, confirming immune-mediated hemolysis.

5. What weight must you be in order to donate blood?

✓ 110 pounds

To ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient, blood donation centers have specific eligibility criteria. A minimum weight of 110 pounds (approximately 50 kg) is a standard requirement for whole blood donation. This threshold helps ensure that the donor has sufficient blood volume to safely donate a unit without experiencing adverse effects like dizziness or fainting.

6. What is the primary purpose of dose error reduction software (DERS) in smart infusion pumps?

✓ To alert clinicians when programmed doses fall outside pre-established safe limits

Dose error reduction software compares the clinician-programmed infusion parameters (dose, rate, concentration) against a pre-established drug library with minimum and maximum limits. When a programmed value falls outside these limits, the pump generates a soft or hard alert, providing a critical safety net that intercepts potential medication errors before delivery begins.

🎯 Free CRNI Practice Tests

Infection Control · 7 questions Pain Management and Analgesic Infusion Therapy · 7 questions Pain Management and Analgesic Infusion Therapy · 7 questions Fluid and Electrolyte Balance · 7 questions Blood Transfusion · 7 questions Pain Management and Analgesic Infusion Therapy · 7 questions Fluid and Electrolyte Balance · 6 questions Blood Transfusion · 6 questions Blood Component Transfusion · 6 questions Infection Prevention and Control · 6 questions

📖 CRNI Guides & Articles

Your CRNI Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

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