CMSRN Guide 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CMSRN candidate is reviewing the test blueprint. Which domain carries the HIGHEST percentage of questions on the CMSRN exam?
- Physiological Integrity (Correct answer)
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
Correct answer: Physiological Integrity
Physiological Integrity is the largest domain on the CMSRN exam, reflecting the clinical complexity of medical-surgical nursing practice.
Question 2: How many scored questions appear on the CMSRN examination?
- 150 (Correct answer)
- 175
- 200
- 125
Correct answer: 150
The CMSRN exam consists of 150 scored questions administered over 3 hours.
Question 3: Which organization administers the CMSRN certification examination?
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) (Correct answer)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
Correct answer: Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB)
The MSNCB is the credentialing body responsible for administering the CMSRN certification exam.
Question 4: A nurse planning to sit for the CMSRN must have practiced in medical-surgical nursing for at least how many hours within the past 3 years?
- 2,000 hours (Correct answer)
- 1,000 hours
- 3,000 hours
- 500 hours
Correct answer: 2,000 hours
Eligibility requires a minimum of 2,000 hours of adult medical-surgical nursing practice within the past 3 years.
Question 5: When is a CMSRN credential renewal required?
- Every 5 years (Correct answer)
- Every 3 years
- Every 2 years
- Annually
Correct answer: Every 5 years
CMSRN certification must be renewed every 5 years through continuing education or re-examination.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the CMSRN certification for nurses and patients?
- Validates specialized knowledge and improves patient outcomes (Correct answer)
- Replaces the RN license in medical-surgical settings
- Qualifies nurses for advanced practice prescriptive authority
- Satisfies mandatory continuing education requirements in all states
Correct answer: Validates specialized knowledge and improves patient outcomes
CMSRN certification validates expertise in medical-surgical nursing and is associated with improved patient safety and outcomes.
Question 7: A nurse who fails the CMSRN exam wishes to retake it. What is the minimum waiting period before retesting?
- 90 days (Correct answer)
- 30 days
- 6 months
- 1 year
Correct answer: 90 days
Candidates must wait a minimum of 90 days before retaking the CMSRN examination after a failed attempt.
CMSRN Guide 2
A CMSRN candidate is reviewing the test blueprint.
Which domain carries the HIGHEST percentage of questions on the CMSRN exam?