CMSRN case studies
CMSRN · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) credential is awarded by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) to registered nurses who practice in medical-surgical settings and who meet the board's certification requirements. It is a specialty certification rather than a state license: it validates that a nurse has demonstrated knowledge beyond entry-level practice across the broad adult med-surg population, including patients with complex, multisystem conditions. The CMSRN case studies are 5 cases and about 3,563 words.
1Postoperative Day 1 After Hip Fracture Repair: Analgesia or Oversedation?
R is a 79-year-old woman, 52 kg, on postoperative day 1 after ORIF of a right hip fracture. She has mild cognitive impairment and lives with her daughter.
679 words, about 3 min2New Heart Failure Discharge in 24 Hours With No Scale, Low Literacy, and No Ride
L is 68, admitted 3 days ago with new heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF 30%). He is being discharged tomorrow on furosemide 40 mg daily, carvedilol, sacubitril/valsartan, and spironolactone.
686 words, about 3 min3Charge Nurse at 1900: Two Call-Outs, a Deteriorating Admission, and an Unseasoned Team
You are the charge nurse on a 32-bed medical unit at 1900. Two RNs called out; staffing is 5 RNs and 2 nursing assistants for 32 patients, and the house supervisor says no additional staff are available.
747 words, about 4 min4COPD Discharge With New Atrial Fibrillation: Patient Refuses SNF, and a Duplicate Antithrombotic
K is a 74-year-old retired teacher, hospital day 3 for a COPD exacerbation. She also developed new atrial fibrillation and was started on apixaban and metoprolol.
741 words, about 4 min5Day 4 of Vancomycin and Ketorolac: Rising Creatinine and a Supratherapeutic Trough
T is a 70-year-old man admitted 4 days ago with right lower-leg cellulitis. He has hypertension and osteoarthritis and a baseline creatinine of 0.9 mg/dL.
710 words, about 4 min