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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

CMSRN practice questions to build your med‑surg confidence

Quick, free quiz with exam‑style items and instant results-your CMSRN practice test.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Habib KaliaUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for CMSRN practice questions quiz on a dark blue background

Use these CMSRN practice questions to check key med‑surg topics and focus your study. Get exam‑style items, clear explanations, and instant scoring to spot gaps fast. For more practice, try the critical care nursing quiz, build skills with InterQual exam practice, or broaden your scope with an emergency medicine quiz.

Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient with prolonged vomiting and nasogastric suctioning?
Hyperphosphatemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hypercalcemia
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A postoperative patient suddenly develops shortness of breath and sharp chest pain. What is the priority nursing action?
Administer prescribed opioid immediately
Encourage coughing and deep breathing only
Increase IV fluid rate to wide open
Elevate head of bed and apply oxygen
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Which insulin has no pronounced peak and provides basal coverage for approximately 24 hours?
Insulin glargine
Regular insulin
Insulin lispro
NPH insulin
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Which isolation precaution is appropriate for a patient with Clostridioides difficile colitis?
Airborne precautions with N95 respirator only
Protective isolation with positive pressure room
Contact precautions with soap-and-water hand hygiene
Droplet precautions with alcohol-based sanitizer only
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Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate for a nonverbal, intubated adult?
Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS)
McGill Pain Questionnaire
Numeric Rating Scale (0-10)
Faces Pain Scale-Revised
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Which IV solution is isotonic and commonly used for fluid resuscitation in hypovolemia?
3% sodium chloride
0.9% sodium chloride
D5W
0.45% sodium chloride
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In COPD patients, administering high-flow oxygen can worsen hypercapnia by reducing hypoxic drive.
True
False
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Which ECG change is most characteristic of hyperkalemia?
Prolonged PR interval with flattened T waves
Peaked T waves
U waves
ST-segment elevation in V1-V4
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A patient with suspected sepsis has a lactate of 4.2 mmol/L. What is the next best nursing action to support recommended care bundles?
Initiate rapid fluid resuscitation per protocol
Restrict fluids to prevent pulmonary edema
Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Delay antibiotics until blood cultures result
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Which finding indicates effective teaching about levothyroxine administration?
I can stop it once my symptoms improve
I will take it in the morning on an empty stomach
I should take it at bedtime with a high-fat snack
I will take it with calcium to prevent bone loss
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For a patient with a chest tube to water-seal drainage after pneumothorax, which observation requires immediate action?
A small continuous air leak early after insertion
Serosanguineous drainage of 50 mL over 4 hours
Occlusive dressing over insertion site
Sudden cessation of tidaling
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A patient receiving heparin infusion for DVT has a platelet count that drops from 250,000 to 90,000 in 24 hours. What is the priority?
Stop heparin and notify the provider immediately
Increase the heparin rate to prevent clotting
No action needed; this is expected
Give platelets prophylactically
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A new onset of confusion in an older adult hospitalized with pneumonia is most consistent with delirium rather than dementia.
False
True
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Which finding best differentiates HHS from DKA?
Positive serum beta-hydroxybutyrate
Marked hyperglycemia without significant ketosis
Presence of Kussmaul respirations
Anion gap metabolic acidosis
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Which postoperative assessment indicates potential malignant hyperthermia?
Rapid rise in end-tidal CO2 and muscle rigidity
Bradycardia and hypothermia
Miosis and profuse salivation
Hypocapnia and hypotonia
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Administering crushed extended-release tablets via feeding tube is an acceptable practice when the patient cannot swallow.
False
True
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Daily low-dose aspirin therapy irreversibly inhibits platelet cyclooxygenase, reducing thromboxane A2 production.
False
True
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Which clinical triad is most consistent with Cushing syndrome?
Central obesity, purple striae, proximal muscle weakness
Weight loss, hyperpigmentation, hypotension
Heat intolerance, tremor, tachycardia
Cold intolerance, bradycardia, weight gain
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Which medication should be held before contrast-enhanced CT in a patient with CKD to reduce risk of lactic acidosis?
Atorvastatin
Levothyroxine
Amlodipine
Metformin
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The antidote for benzodiazepine overdose is naloxone.
False
True
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0

Study Outcomes

  1. Apply Effective Test-Taking Strategies -

    Use timed CMSRN practice questions to hone pacing techniques and optimize time management for the actual certification exam.

  2. Analyze Performance Gaps -

    Review your results in medical-surgical nursing certification practice Q&A to identify knowledge strengths and areas needing further study.

  3. Interpret Detailed Rationales -

    Examine answer explanations in med surg nursing certification practice questions to deepen your understanding of pathophysiology and clinical decision-making.

  4. Reinforce Critical Concepts -

    Engage with a diverse set of medical surgical nursing certification practice questions to consolidate key principles and interventions.

  5. Simulate Exam Conditions -

    Experience realistic, timed drills to build confidence, reduce test anxiety, and prepare for the pace of the CMSRN exam.

  6. Recall Essential Clinical Guidelines -

    Memorize high-yield facts and best practices to ensure mastery of med-surg certification practice questions and readiness for exam day.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Acid-Base Balance Interpretation -

    Master the "ROME" mnemonic (Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal) to quickly determine if a pH imbalance is respiratory or metabolic. For example, pH 7.30 and pCO₂ 50 mm Hg indicates respiratory acidosis. Practice with cmsrn practice questions on arterial blood gas scenarios from the American Thoracic Society.

  2. Fluid & Electrolyte Management -

    Review correction formulas like (desired Na❺ - current Na❺) × total body water (0.6 × kg) to safely raise serum sodium no more than 0.5 mEq/L per hour. Recognize hypokalemia signs (muscle cramps, U waves) versus hyperkalemia (peaked T waves), and integrate med surg nursing certification practice questions simulating lab interpretations. Evidence-based guidelines from the National Kidney Foundation guide safe electrolyte adjustments.

  3. Cardiac Rhythm Recognition -

    Use the "300-150-75-60-50" rule on ECG strips to estimate heart rate rapidly and identify dysrhythmias like atrial fibrillation or second-degree AV block. Evaluate P wave presence and measure PR intervals (normal 0.12 - 0.20 sec) in line with American Heart Association standards. Regular drills with med-surg nursing certification practice questions strengthen pattern recognition and response planning.

  4. Sepsis Identification & Management -

    Apply qSOFA (RR ≥22, altered mentation, SBP ≤100 mm Hg) alongside SIRS criteria to flag sepsis early and activate rapid response. Remember the "SEPSIS" bundle steps: Serial lactates, Early antibiotics, Prompt fluid resuscitation, Source control, Intensivist consult, and Supportive care from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. Sharp understanding from medical-surgical nursing certification practice Q&A boosts your confidence in real-world scenarios.

  5. IV Dosage Calculations & Medication Safety -

    Master the formula (desired dose ÷ stock dose) × volume to calculate accurate IV infusions, and always double-check high-risk meds like heparin or insulin per Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Utilize mnemonic "D.O.S.E." (Desired ÷ Stock = Evaluate) for quick recall under pressure. Timed drills on med-surg certification practice questions enhance speed and accuracy for exam success.

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