CMSRN Medical-Surgical Certification Exam 2025: Complete Review
Practice Questions, and Study Guide for Med-Surg Nurses”
Prepare for the CMSRN Medical-Surgical Certification Exam with this complete 2025 review guide. Includes high-yield
Med-Surg practice questions, exam tips, test-taking strategies, and essential CMSRN study resources to help nurses pass on
first attempt.
• CMSRN Medical-Surgical
• CMSRN exam
• Medical-surgical nursing certification
• CMSRN practice exam
• Med-Surg certification test
1. Lewis Palmer, 45 years old, has a history of multiple myocardial infarctions
and is a heavy smoker. He takes warfarin sodium (Coumadin) daily. Two weeks
ago, he had a right femoral-popliteal bypass, which became occluded 24 hours
ago. He is admitted following an angioplasty of the femoral-popliteal bypass
graft. Mr. Palmer is receiving continuous IV heparin.
Because Mr. Palmer is receiving heparin, it is essential for the nurse to
1) monitor his prothrombin time.
2) observe him for signs of pulmonary embolism.
3) limit his intake of foods high in vitamin K.
4) check the femoral puncture site at frequent intervals.: 4) check the femoral puncture
site at frequent intervals.
Rationale: Since bleeding is a common side ettect of heparin, it is vital to check the operative site, the femoral puncture
area, for signs of bleeding.
,2. Attempts to revascularize Mr. Palmer's leg are unsuccessful, and Mr. Palmer
has a below-knee amputation (BKA) of his right extremity and is returned to the
medical-surgical unit with an intravenous infusion in place. His orders include:
heparin drip, morphine sulfate 10 mg IV push q4h prn for pain, and ampicillin
sodium g 1 IV q6h.
Twelve hours postoperatively, Mr. Palmer is found to be short of breath and
diaphoretic. He says, "My chest hurts." His pulse is 140/min, compared to
a baseline of 80/min. His blood pressure is105/60 mm Hg, compared to a
baseline of 138/70 mm Hg. His respirations are 32/min, compared to a baseline
of 16/min. His O2 saturation is 85%. The nurse immediately calls for help. Which
of the following questions is most important for the nurse to ask?
1) "Have you ever had this type of chest pain before?"
2) "How long have you had this pain?"
3) "What pain medication do you usually take?"
4) "What: 1) "Have you ever had this type of chest pain before?"
Rationale: Because of the patient's symptoms and his history of myocardial infarctions, the nurse should find out if the
patient has had this time of pain previously.
3. Christine Warren, 45 years old, has a long history of ulcerative colitis, and
non-surgical treatment no longer relieved her symptoms. She underwent a
total proctocolectomy and a permanent ileostomy 12 hours ago.
The nurse should contact the physician immediately if Mrs. Warren has which
of these findings?
1) The stoma appears pale and dry.
2) The stoma appears red and shiny.
3) There is 200 mL of dark green output from the stoma.
4) There is 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage from the stoma.: 1) The stoma appears
pale and dry.
Rationale: If there is an adequate blood supply to the stoma, the color is pink or red, and the stoma is moist as a result
of mucous production. A pale dry color suggests ischemia of the stoma or bowel and must be reported immediately to
,the physician. With an ileostomy initially after surgery, the output is a loose, dark green liquid that may contain some
blood. The ileostomy usually begins to drain within 24 of surgery at more than one liter per day.
4. When changing Mrs. Warren's ileostomy bag, the nurse notices that the
peristomal skin is irritated.
Which of these actions by the nurse would be appropriate before reapplying
the appliance?
1) Wash the area with antiseptic soap and water.
2) Clean the site with Dakin's solution.
3) Use a solid skin barrier.
4) Obtain an order for a topical antibiotic.: 3) Use a solid skin barrier.
Rationale: The drainage from the stoma can quickly irritate the surrounding tissue. Therefore, a solid skin barrier, with a
pectin base or karaya wafer that has a measurable thickness and hydrocolloid adhesive properties, should be applied.
5. Which of these comments, if made by Mrs. Warren before her surgery, would
indicate that she had concerns about her body image?
1) "I will have to stop my aerobics classes."
2) "I'm so afraid I may not survive the surgery."
2 /53
, 3) "I need to go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
4) "I'm concerned that this may be only the first of many surgeries.": 3) "I need to
go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
Rationale:Body image refers to a person's perception of self and determines how the person interacts with others. One
does not need to purchase special clothing after ileostomy surgery, although some minor adjustments may be needed
for comfort, e.g., stretch underwear or pantyhose for support.
6. The nurse receives all of the following stat orders for Mr. Palmer. Which one
should the nurse question?
1) Oxygen per nasal cannula at 4 L per minute.
2) Enoxaparin (Lovenox) 40 mg subcutaneously.
3) Troponin level.
4) Computed tomography (CT) angiogram.: Rationale: The nurse should questions the order for
Lovenox because the patient is receiving a heparin drip.
7. Maggie Clark, a 42-year-old female, was admitted with newly diagnosed type
2 diabetes mellitus. Her blood glucose has been stabilized, and the nurse
is preparing her for discharge. Her discharge orders will include metformin
(Glucophage). Mrs. Clark is also being treated for hypertension.
Because Mrs. Clark is to take Glucophage on a regular basis it is important to
1) monitor her glomerular filtration rate.
2) check her serum amylase routinely.
3) obtain her red blood cell count periodically.
4) examine her urine for casts.: 1) monitor her glomerular filtration rate.
Rationale: The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is one way to measure the adequacy of kidney function.
Glucophage is excreted by the kidney and the risk of lactic acidosis increases in patients with impaired kidney function.
The drug may be used if the eGFR is between 45 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, i.e., in mild chronic kidney disease.
Glucophage is absolutely contraindicated if the eGFR is below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2.
8. Mrs. Clark is prescribed metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) for hypertension.
Which symptom of hypoglycemia would be masked by Lopressor?
1) Diaphoresis.
2) Tingling.
3 /53
Practice Questions, and Study Guide for Med-Surg Nurses”
Prepare for the CMSRN Medical-Surgical Certification Exam with this complete 2025 review guide. Includes high-yield
Med-Surg practice questions, exam tips, test-taking strategies, and essential CMSRN study resources to help nurses pass on
first attempt.
• CMSRN Medical-Surgical
• CMSRN exam
• Medical-surgical nursing certification
• CMSRN practice exam
• Med-Surg certification test
1. Lewis Palmer, 45 years old, has a history of multiple myocardial infarctions
and is a heavy smoker. He takes warfarin sodium (Coumadin) daily. Two weeks
ago, he had a right femoral-popliteal bypass, which became occluded 24 hours
ago. He is admitted following an angioplasty of the femoral-popliteal bypass
graft. Mr. Palmer is receiving continuous IV heparin.
Because Mr. Palmer is receiving heparin, it is essential for the nurse to
1) monitor his prothrombin time.
2) observe him for signs of pulmonary embolism.
3) limit his intake of foods high in vitamin K.
4) check the femoral puncture site at frequent intervals.: 4) check the femoral puncture
site at frequent intervals.
Rationale: Since bleeding is a common side ettect of heparin, it is vital to check the operative site, the femoral puncture
area, for signs of bleeding.
,2. Attempts to revascularize Mr. Palmer's leg are unsuccessful, and Mr. Palmer
has a below-knee amputation (BKA) of his right extremity and is returned to the
medical-surgical unit with an intravenous infusion in place. His orders include:
heparin drip, morphine sulfate 10 mg IV push q4h prn for pain, and ampicillin
sodium g 1 IV q6h.
Twelve hours postoperatively, Mr. Palmer is found to be short of breath and
diaphoretic. He says, "My chest hurts." His pulse is 140/min, compared to
a baseline of 80/min. His blood pressure is105/60 mm Hg, compared to a
baseline of 138/70 mm Hg. His respirations are 32/min, compared to a baseline
of 16/min. His O2 saturation is 85%. The nurse immediately calls for help. Which
of the following questions is most important for the nurse to ask?
1) "Have you ever had this type of chest pain before?"
2) "How long have you had this pain?"
3) "What pain medication do you usually take?"
4) "What: 1) "Have you ever had this type of chest pain before?"
Rationale: Because of the patient's symptoms and his history of myocardial infarctions, the nurse should find out if the
patient has had this time of pain previously.
3. Christine Warren, 45 years old, has a long history of ulcerative colitis, and
non-surgical treatment no longer relieved her symptoms. She underwent a
total proctocolectomy and a permanent ileostomy 12 hours ago.
The nurse should contact the physician immediately if Mrs. Warren has which
of these findings?
1) The stoma appears pale and dry.
2) The stoma appears red and shiny.
3) There is 200 mL of dark green output from the stoma.
4) There is 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage from the stoma.: 1) The stoma appears
pale and dry.
Rationale: If there is an adequate blood supply to the stoma, the color is pink or red, and the stoma is moist as a result
of mucous production. A pale dry color suggests ischemia of the stoma or bowel and must be reported immediately to
,the physician. With an ileostomy initially after surgery, the output is a loose, dark green liquid that may contain some
blood. The ileostomy usually begins to drain within 24 of surgery at more than one liter per day.
4. When changing Mrs. Warren's ileostomy bag, the nurse notices that the
peristomal skin is irritated.
Which of these actions by the nurse would be appropriate before reapplying
the appliance?
1) Wash the area with antiseptic soap and water.
2) Clean the site with Dakin's solution.
3) Use a solid skin barrier.
4) Obtain an order for a topical antibiotic.: 3) Use a solid skin barrier.
Rationale: The drainage from the stoma can quickly irritate the surrounding tissue. Therefore, a solid skin barrier, with a
pectin base or karaya wafer that has a measurable thickness and hydrocolloid adhesive properties, should be applied.
5. Which of these comments, if made by Mrs. Warren before her surgery, would
indicate that she had concerns about her body image?
1) "I will have to stop my aerobics classes."
2) "I'm so afraid I may not survive the surgery."
2 /53
, 3) "I need to go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
4) "I'm concerned that this may be only the first of many surgeries.": 3) "I need to
go shopping for some loose, baggy clothes."
Rationale:Body image refers to a person's perception of self and determines how the person interacts with others. One
does not need to purchase special clothing after ileostomy surgery, although some minor adjustments may be needed
for comfort, e.g., stretch underwear or pantyhose for support.
6. The nurse receives all of the following stat orders for Mr. Palmer. Which one
should the nurse question?
1) Oxygen per nasal cannula at 4 L per minute.
2) Enoxaparin (Lovenox) 40 mg subcutaneously.
3) Troponin level.
4) Computed tomography (CT) angiogram.: Rationale: The nurse should questions the order for
Lovenox because the patient is receiving a heparin drip.
7. Maggie Clark, a 42-year-old female, was admitted with newly diagnosed type
2 diabetes mellitus. Her blood glucose has been stabilized, and the nurse
is preparing her for discharge. Her discharge orders will include metformin
(Glucophage). Mrs. Clark is also being treated for hypertension.
Because Mrs. Clark is to take Glucophage on a regular basis it is important to
1) monitor her glomerular filtration rate.
2) check her serum amylase routinely.
3) obtain her red blood cell count periodically.
4) examine her urine for casts.: 1) monitor her glomerular filtration rate.
Rationale: The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is one way to measure the adequacy of kidney function.
Glucophage is excreted by the kidney and the risk of lactic acidosis increases in patients with impaired kidney function.
The drug may be used if the eGFR is between 45 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, i.e., in mild chronic kidney disease.
Glucophage is absolutely contraindicated if the eGFR is below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2.
8. Mrs. Clark is prescribed metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) for hypertension.
Which symptom of hypoglycemia would be masked by Lopressor?
1) Diaphoresis.
2) Tingling.
3 /53
