Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse Exam Review

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Achieving AMSN certification is a significant milestone for nurses pursuing excellence in their field. To qualify for this certification, candidates must pass the medical-surgical nurse exam, which tests their knowledge and skills essential for providing quality patient care. Additionally, many nursing professionals enhance their experience through nurse residency programs, which offer valuable training and support as they transition into practice.

RNs preparing for the AMSN certification exam and the ANCC certification exam, new Med-Surg nurses building a strong clinical foundation, experienced Med-Surg nurses seeking recertification or a comprehensive refresher, and hospital teams and nurse residency programs looking for group training and CE opportunities.

We align every module to the AMSN certification and ANCC exam frameworks, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the medical-surgical nurse exam. 

Foundational Concepts

Assessment & Diagnostics: History, focused assessment, lab interpretation, imaging basics

Pharmacology & IV Therapy: Safe med admin, adverse effects, interactions

Fluids, Electrolytes & Acid–Base: Recognition, replacement strategies, ABG interpretation

Nutrition & Metabolism: Special diets, TPN/enteral feeding, glycemic control

System-Based Clinical Management

Cardiovascular: ACS, heart failure, dysrhythmias, anticoagulation,

Respiratory: COPD/asthma, pneumonia, PE, oxygenation/ventilatory support basics

Neurological: Stroke/TIA, seizures, delirium, increased ICP, neuro assessment

Endocrine: Diabetes (DKA/HHS), thyroid/adrenal disorders

Gastrointestinal: GI bleed, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, hepatic disease

Renal/Genitourinary: AKI/CKD, electrolytes, urinary retention, BPH

Hematology/Oncology: Anemia, neutropenia, transfusion safety

Musculoskeletal: Fractures, traction, joint replacements, mobility & VTE prevention

Integumentary/Wound: Pressure injury staging, wound care, burns, infection prevention

Immune/Infectious Disease: Sepsis recognition, antimicrobial principles, isolation precautions

Perioperative & Procedural Care: Pre-op optimization, post-op risks, drains/lines/tubes

Pain & Comfort Management: Multimodal analgesia, non-pharm strategies, safe opioids

Psychosocial Considerations: Mental health, coping, health literacy, cultural humility

Care Management & Professional Practice

Prioritization, Delegation, & Time Management

Patient Education, Discharge Planning, & Care Coordination

Quality, Safety, & Regulatory: Fall prevention, medication safety, CLABSI/CAUTI prevention

Ethics & Legal: Consent, confidentiality, scope & standards of practice. These competencies are crucial for success in nurse residency programs.

If your organization would like to host a review course to help prepare for the AMSN certification or support medical-surgical nurse exam candidates, please contact us for more information about our offerings, including nurse residency programs.