CMSRN Guide 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scenario BEST represents a question that would appear in the CMSRN exam's 'Reduction of Risk Potential' subcategory?
- Identifying early signs of deep vein thrombosis in a postoperative patient (Correct answer)
- Administering antihypertensives per protocol
- Discussing grief stages with a terminal patient's family
- Teaching a diabetic patient about foot care
Correct answer: Identifying early signs of deep vein thrombosis in a postoperative patient
Reduction of Risk Potential focuses on preventing complications and monitoring for deterioration, such as DVT in postoperative patients.
Question 2: The CMSRN exam allows candidates how much total time to complete all questions?
- 3 hours (Correct answer)
- 2 hours
- 4 hours
- 5 hours
Correct answer: 3 hours
Candidates are given 3 hours to complete the 150-question CMSRN examination.
Question 3: A nurse preparing for the CMSRN should be MOST familiar with which pharmacology category due to its frequent appearance in med-surg practice?
- Anticoagulants and thrombolytics (Correct answer)
- Pediatric weight-based dosing
- Obstetric tocolytics
- Neonatal surfactant therapy
Correct answer: Anticoagulants and thrombolytics
Anticoagulants and thrombolytics are heavily tested on the CMSRN due to their widespread use and high risk in adult medical-surgical patients.
Question 4: What is the PRIMARY purpose of the CMSRN exam blueprint provided by the MSNCB?
- To outline the percentage of questions allocated to each content domain (Correct answer)
- To list all possible exam questions in advance
- To certify that a nurse has completed required CE hours
- To replace the need for a study guide
Correct answer: To outline the percentage of questions allocated to each content domain
The blueprint shows the proportion of exam questions per domain, helping candidates allocate study time appropriately.
Question 5: During exam registration, a CMSRN candidate must provide which of the following as proof of eligibility?
- Current RN license number and employment verification of med-surg hours (Correct answer)
- NCLEX-RN score report
- Graduate school transcripts
- Specialty course completion certificate
Correct answer: Current RN license number and employment verification of med-surg hours
Candidates must verify their active RN license and provide documentation of 2,000+ hours of medical-surgical nursing practice.
Question 6: Which action is MOST appropriate if a CMSRN candidate encounters an unfamiliar question during the exam?
- Use the 'mark for review' feature, make a best guess, and return to it later (Correct answer)
- Spend as much time as needed on it before moving on
- Leave it blank and move on
- Exit the exam and request a replacement question
Correct answer: Use the 'mark for review' feature, make a best guess, and return to it later
The CBT format allows candidates to flag questions for review, enabling efficient time management by answering all questions and revisiting flagged ones.
Question 7: Which best describes the primary focus of the CMSRN Core Curriculum when used as a study resource?
- Comprehensive review of adult medical-surgical nursing across body systems and domains (Correct answer)
- Pediatric nursing across the lifespan
- Advanced practice prescribing guidelines
- Critical care and ICU nursing procedures
Correct answer: Comprehensive review of adult medical-surgical nursing across body systems and domains
The CMSRN Core Curriculum provides a comprehensive, exam-aligned review of adult med-surg nursing content organized by body system and care domain.
CMSRN Guide 5
Which scenario BEST represents a question that would appear in the CMSRN exam's 'Reduction of Risk Potential' subcategory?