CMS Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CMS 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.
📚 CMS Topics to Study (21)
✍️ Sample CMS Questions & Answers
1. A mother of premature twins at 30 weeks gestation asks about providing breast milk. What should the midwife advise?
Mother's own milk contains tailored immunological factors and nutrients specifically beneficial for preterm infants; early initiation of pumping within 6 hours postpartum is essential to establish adequate supply.
2. What is the purpose of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy?
Folic acid supplementation is critically important before conception and during the early weeks of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida and anencephaly. These serious birth defects occur when the neural tube, which forms the brain and spinal cord, does not close properly. Adequate folic acid intake significantly reduces this risk.
3. Which ethical principle is most directly applicable to documentation standards?
Beneficence, the principle of acting in the patient's best interest, is fundamental to ethical practice in documentation standards.
4. What role does documentation play in documentation standards?
Thorough documentation in documentation standards is both a legal requirement and essential for continuity of patient care.
5. Why is skin-to-skin contact important immediately after birth?
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is crucial for promoting early initiation of breastfeeding by stimulating the baby's natural rooting and suckling reflexes. It also fosters a strong emotional bond between the mother and baby, releasing oxytocin which aids in uterine contraction and milk production. This vital contact helps the baby feel secure, stabilizes their temperature, and supports their transition to the outside world.
6. A term newborn's blood glucose is 38 mg/dL at 2 hours of life. What is the first-line management?
For symptomatic-free newborns with glucose 36–45 mg/dL, the first step is early oral feeding before considering IV glucose.