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. 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
3. Which assessment finding in a post-anesthesia patient most strongly suggests malignant hyperthermia? → Rapidly rising end-tidal CO2 and muscle rigidity
4. Which of these does not result from the loop diuretics? → Nausea
5. Treatment for acute glomerulonephritis primarily aims to: → Maintain fluid balance
6. 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
7. 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
8. Which position should the nurse place a patient in immediately after a liver biopsy? → Right lateral with a pillow under the costal margin
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. A nurse is assessing a patient with cirrhosis who has developed asterixis. This finding is most indicative of which complication? → Hepatic encephalopathy
14. 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
15. A patient with COPD on 2 L nasal cannula has an SpO2 of 91%. The nurse should recognize this value as which of the following? → Within the acceptable target range for this patient population
16. A patient is admitted with a hemoglobin of 6.2 g/dL and is prescribed a transfusion of packed red blood cells. Which action should the nurse take first? → Verify the blood product with another licensed nurse at the bedside
17. A patient with a pulmonary embolism suddenly becomes restless with a SpO2 of 84%. Which intervention takes priority? → Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
18. An individual is being examined for possible meningitis. Which of the following is NOT a typical meningitis symptom or sign? → Nystagmus
19. Which assessment finding in a patient with a new hip replacement requires immediate nursing intervention? → Internal rotation of the affected leg
20. In order for the process of evaluation and feedback to be successful, the management medical-surgical nurse must: → informs staff members regularly of how well they are performing their jobs.
21. Which laboratory value is MOST important for the nurse to monitor in a patient receiving tacrolimus after a liver transplant? → Serum creatinine
22. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a glomerular filtration rate of 12 mL/min. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse anticipate? → Uremic frost and pruritus
23. Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving prolonged propofol infusion for procedural sedation? → Triglyceride level
24. A patient presents with acute onset of a cold, pale, pulseless left lower extremity. Which condition should the nurse suspect? → Acute arterial embolism
25. Three hours after knee reduction surgery, a 27-year-old patient complains of soreness in his right leg. The nurse's initial course of action should be to: → perform a lower extremity neurovascular check
26. A patient awaiting a liver transplant has a MELD score of 32. The nurse understands this score primarily reflects which factors? → Bilirubin, INR, and serum creatinine
27. A patient with cirrhosis develops asterixis. The nurse recognizes this as a sign of which complication? → Hepatic encephalopathy
28. Which of the patient's statements accurately reflects their knowledge of herbal supplements? → "There is no standardization among the manufacturers of herbs in this country."
29. The client correctly describes how to lower the risk of colon cancer when he says: → “I will include more fresh fruits and vegetables in my diet.”
30. Which nursing action is essential when caring for a patient with a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system? → Ensure tidaling is present in the water-seal chamber during inspiration