AMSN Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the AMSN 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.
AMSN exam key facts
- The CMSRN (Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse) exam from MSNCB has 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pilot questions. Source
- Candidates have three hours to complete the CMSRN medical-surgical nursing certification exam. Source
- To pass the CMSRN exam, candidates need a standard score of 95, which is about 71% of the 125 scored questions answered correctly. Source
- The initial CMSRN exam costs $394, or $267 for AMSN members, and each application includes a non-refundable $90 processing fee. Source
- The CMSRN credential lasts five years, after which the certificant must recertify. Source
📋 AMSN Exam Format at a Glance
📚 AMSN Topics to Study (22)
✍️ Sample AMSN Questions & Answers
1. A patient with a draining wound has periwound skin breakdown from moisture. The nurse should apply which product to protect the surrounding skin?
Moisture barrier ointments or liquid skin protectants create a waterproof barrier over the periwound skin, preventing further maceration from wound exudate.
2. A patient returns from surgery for an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the femur. The nurse assesses the 5 Ps of neurovascular status. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
Pulselessness and pallor indicate arterial compromise or compartment syndrome, which are surgical emergencies requiring immediate action.
3. A patient with a recent ischemic stroke is on aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) dual antiplatelet therapy. The nurse's priority teaching includes:
Dual antiplatelet therapy significantly increases bleeding risk; patients must recognize and report signs of bleeding including GI bleeding (melena).
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with a dehisced abdominal wound healing by secondary intention with a wound VAC. The nurse understands that the primary goal of secondary intention healing is:
Secondary intention healing allows wounds to fill from the base with granulation tissue; wound contraction and epithelialization occur over time without surgical closure.
5. In patients with Addison's disease, which hormone is deficient?
Addison's disease is a rare but serious condition characterized by the adrenal glands' inability to produce sufficient amounts of certain hormones. The most significant deficiency in Addison's disease is cortisol, a glucocorticoid vital for stress response, metabolism, and immune function. Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid, may also be deficient, leading to electrolyte imbalances.
6. A patient with osteoporosis is starting alendronate (Fosamax). The nurse should instruct the patient to:
Bisphosphonates like alendronate must be taken with a full glass of water, and the patient must remain upright for at least 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation and ulceration.
🎯 Free AMSN Practice Tests
📖 AMSN Guides & Articles
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for AMSN
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length AMSN mock exam — 150 questions in 180 minutes with a 71% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
- A fixed AMSN question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable AMSN cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- AMSN flashcards built from the same question bank.
- Free AMSN practice tests with the correct answer shown after each question.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- msncb.org — Score validity, eligibility, exam format, passing score, time limit, fees, late registration, retake fee, retake policy, score release · verified Oct 2026
- pearsonvue.com — Test delivery · verified Oct 2026