OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

CMC (Adult) Exam — Information & Free Practice

200 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Start free practice →

Exam Review

About CMC (Adult) Exam

CMC (Adult) Exam · US

Key exam facts

Provider
Developed and administered by AACN Certification Corporation in partnership with PSI Services; PSI delivers the computer-based examination.
Format
Multiple-choice examination, taken at a PSI testing center or by live remote proctoring.
Exam questions
Total questions: 90; Scored questions: 75; Unscored questions: 15; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
2 hours of timed examination; pre-exam practice/tutorial time is excluded.
Passing score
Meet or exceed the AACN-approved raw-number cut score established using the modified Angoff method. This is not a percentage; the cut score may change with examination updates and form equating.
Exam fee
Initial examination: US$150 for AACN members or US$240 for nonmembers. Fees are subject to change.

Topics covered

  • Cardiovascular Conditions (21%)

    • Cardiac Conditions
    • Acute coronary syndrome
    • Cardiac tamponade
    • Cardiomyopathies
    • Dysrhythmias
    • Heart failure
    • Hypertensive urgency or emergency
    • Inflammatory and infectious conditions
    • Pericardial effusion
    • Pulmonary edema
    • Syncope
    • Valvular disorders
    • Cardiac arrest
    • Vascular Conditions
    • Acute arterial occlusion
    • Acute venous thrombosis
    • Aortic aneurysm or dissection
    • Dyslipidemia
    • Post-intervention vascular complications

  • Non-cardiovascular Conditions (21%)

    • Respiratory
    • Acute pulmonary embolus
    • Acute respiratory failure
    • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
    • Pleural space abnormalities
    • Pulmonary hypertension
    • Sleep apnea
    • Endocrine
    • Diabetes mellitus
    • Metabolic syndrome
    • Thyroid disorders
    • Hematologic
    • Coagulopathies
    • Anemia
    • Neurologic
    • Cerebrovascular accidents (stroke)
    • Delirium
    • Renal
    • Acute kidney injury
    • Chronic kidney disease
    • Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances
    • Multisystem
    • Multisystem organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)
    • Shock states
    • Non-cardiac chest pain
    • Behavioral and Psychosocial
    • Substance use disorder

  • Therapeutic Interventions (44%)

    • Cardiac Procedures
    • Right heart catheterization
    • Left heart catheterization
    • Percutaneous coronary interventions
    • Pericardiocentesis
    • Intra-aortic balloon pumps
    • Ventricular assist devices (temporary and durable)
    • Percutaneous structural heart interventions
    • Vascular Procedures
    • Peripheral angiography and interventions
    • Carotid angiography and interventions
    • Endovascular grafts and stents
    • Catheter-directed thrombolysis
    • Pharmacology
    • Antidysrhythmics
    • Anticoagulants
    • Diuretics
    • Inotropes
    • Platelet inhibitors
    • Thrombolytics
    • Vasoactive agents
    • Beta-blockers
    • Antidyslipidemic agents
    • Pulmonary vasodilators
    • Sedation and analgesia
    • Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors
    • Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists
    • Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i)
    • Calcium channel blockers
    • Electrophysiologic Interventions
    • Temporary pacemakers
    • Permanent pacemakers
    • Cardiac resynchronization therapy
    • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
    • External wearable defibrillator
    • Ablation
    • Cardioversion
    • Defibrillation
    • Respiratory
    • Non-invasive ventilation
    • Mechanical ventilation
    • Pleural chest tubes and drains
    • Oxygen therapy delivery devices
    • Renal
    • Renal replacement therapy
    • Multisystem
    • Targeted temperature management
    • Palliative care
    • End-of-life care
    • Cardiac rehabilitation

  • Monitoring and Diagnostics (14%)

    • Hemodynamic monitoring
    • Echocardiography
    • Electrocardiography (ECG)
    • Laboratory testing
    • Cardiac stress testing
    • Remote cardiovascular monitoring
    • Cardiac MRI and CT
    • Arterial blood gases (ABG)
    • Venous blood gas (SvO2, ScvO2)
    • Pulse oximetry
    • End-tidal capnography (EtCO2)
    • Radiography

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Multiple-choice examination, taken at a PSI testing center or by live remote proctoring.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 90; Scored questions: 75; Unscored questions: 15; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.

How long is the exam?

2 hours of timed examination; pre-exam practice/tutorial time is excluded.

What is the passing score?

Meet or exceed the AACN-approved raw-number cut score established using the modified Angoff method. This is not a percentage; the cut score may change with examination updates and form equating.

How much does the exam cost?

Initial examination: US$150 for AACN members or US$240 for nonmembers. Fees are subject to change.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.