CMSRN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CMSRN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A nurse is assessing a patient admitted with Addisonian crisis. Which set of vital signs is most consistent with this condition? → Hypotension, tachycardia, and hypothermia
2. The CMSRN exam's Psychosocial Integrity domain is MOST likely to test a nurse's knowledge of which topic? → Therapeutic communication with patients experiencing chronic illness adjustment
3. Which type of wound healing occurs when a wound closes by granulation tissue filling a large tissue defect? → Secondary intention
4. Which reversal agent is used to antagonize non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents such as rocuronium? → Sugammadex
5. A postoperative patient complains of severe pain unrelieved by opioids and the nurse notes a tense, swollen surgical extremity. The nurse's priority concern is: → Development of acute compartment syndrome
6. A patient with myasthenia gravis is experiencing increased weakness. How does the nurse differentiate a myasthenic crisis from a cholinergic crisis? → Administer edrophonium; improvement indicates myasthenic crisis
7. A nurse is teaching a kidney transplant recipient about signs of rejection to report. Which symptom cluster should prompt immediate notification? → Decreased urine output, flank pain, and low-grade fever
8. A liver transplant patient develops jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, and pruritus 6 months post-transplant. These findings are most consistent with: → Chronic rejection (ductopenic rejection)
9. Which assessment finding in a post-anesthesia patient most strongly suggests malignant hyperthermia? → Rapidly rising end-tidal CO2 and muscle rigidity
10. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention? → Peaked T-waves on ECG
11. A patient is being discharged after same-day surgery under monitored anesthesia care. Which discharge criterion is most important to verify? → The patient has a responsible adult driver
12. A postoperative patient receiving PCA morphine has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and is difficult to arouse. The FIRST nursing action is: → Administer naloxone and stop the PCA
13. The nurse is performing a preoperative assessment and learns the patient has a latex allergy. Which intervention is MOST important? → Notify the entire perioperative team and ensure a latex-free environment
14. A patient develops sudden pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia 72 hours after a total hip arthroplasty. What is the nurse's priority action? → Administer supplemental oxygen and notify the provider immediately
15. Which of these does not result from the loop diuretics? → Nausea
16. Treatment for acute glomerulonephritis primarily aims to: → Maintain fluid balance
17. A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which position should the nurse assist the patient into for pain relief? → Side-lying with knees drawn toward the chest
18. A patient with cirrhosis has an elevated ammonia level and is prescribed lactulose. Which outcome indicates the medication is effective? → The patient has two to three soft stools per day
19. Which assessment finding best indicates right-sided heart failure? → Jugular venous distension and peripheral edema
20. Which position should the nurse place a patient in immediately after a liver biopsy? → Right lateral with a pillow under the costal margin
21. A nurse is educating a heart transplant recipient about infection prevention. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching? → I can eat fresh salads from any restaurant without worry
22. A nurse is teaching a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about sick-day management. Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding? → I need to check my blood glucose more frequently when I am ill
23. Which finding is a hallmark of cardiac tamponade? → Beck's triad: hypotension, muffled heart sounds, JVD
24. A patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reports intermittent claudication in the left calf. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect? → Diminished or absent pedal pulses in the affected extremity
25. A patient in atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate of 148 bpm is hemodynamically stable. Which medication class is typically used for rate control? → Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
26. It's a left pneumonectomy for a client. Nursing interventions for a postoperative left pneumonectomy that would be planned for this client would include: → monitoring the right lung for an increase in rales
27. A patient with COPD is admitted with an acute exacerbation. Which oxygen delivery method is most appropriate? → Venturi mask at 24-28% FiO2
28. A patient with peripheral arterial disease reports leg pain that occurs with walking and is relieved by rest. The nurse documents this as: → Intermittent claudication
29. A nurse is assessing a patient with cirrhosis who has developed asterixis. This finding is most indicative of which complication? → Hepatic encephalopathy
30. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which intervention should the nurse implement first? → Place the patient on continuous cardiac monitoring