100+ Free CMC Practice Questions

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Question 1

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A patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is receiving intravenous nitroglycerin. Which of the following is a primary goal of this therapy?

Increase myocardial oxygen demand

Reduce myocardial oxygen demand

Increase ventricular preload

Increase systemic vascular resistance

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CMC Exam

Questions

AACN

Passing Score

AACN

2 hours

Time Limit

AACN

$230

Member Fee

AACN

$340

Non-Member Fee

AACN

The CMC exam is for experienced cardiac nurses. It has 90 questions, and you need a score of 50 to pass. The exam fee is $230 for AACN members and $340 for non-members.

Sample CMC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CMC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is receiving intravenous nitroglycerin. Which of the following is a primary goal of this therapy?

A.Increase myocardial oxygen demand

B.Reduce myocardial oxygen demand

C.Increase ventricular preload

D.Increase systemic vascular resistance

Explanation: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator that reduces myocardial oxygen demand by decreasing both preload (venous return to the heart) and afterload (systemic vascular resistance). This helps to alleviate ischemic chest pain.

2What is the most common presenting symptom of a patient experiencing a myocardial infarction (MI)?

A.Sudden, severe headache

B.Sharp, pleuritic chest pain

C.Crushing, substernal chest pain

D.Tingling in the lower extremities

Explanation: The classic symptom of an MI is crushing, substernal chest pain, often described as a pressure or squeezing sensation. It may radiate to the jaw, neck, arms, or back.

3A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure. Which of the following laboratory values would be most indicative of this condition?

A.Elevated serum creatinine

B.Elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)

C.Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit

D.Increased international normalized ratio (INR)

Explanation: BNP is a hormone secreted by the ventricles of the heart in response to stretching caused by increased ventricular blood volume. An elevated BNP level is a key diagnostic marker for heart failure.

4Which of the following is a common side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors?

A.Hypokalemia

B.Persistent dry cough

C.Bradycardia

D.Peripheral edema

Explanation: A persistent dry cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors, caused by the accumulation of bradykinin. It can be bothersome enough to necessitate a change in medication.

5A patient with atrial fibrillation is at an increased risk for which of the following complications?

A.Ventricular tachycardia

B.Complete heart block

C.Thromboembolic stroke

D.Hypertensive crisis

Explanation: In atrial fibrillation, the chaotic electrical activity in the atria can lead to blood stasis and the formation of thrombi (blood clots). If a clot travels to the brain, it can cause a thromboembolic stroke.

6What is the primary purpose of cardiac catheterization in a patient with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD)?

A.To measure cardiac output

B.To visualize the coronary arteries

C.To perform an endomyocardial biopsy

D.To assess for valvular heart disease

Explanation: The primary purpose of cardiac catheterization in CAD is to perform coronary angiography, which involves injecting contrast dye into the coronary arteries to visualize any blockages or narrowing.

7A patient is receiving a continuous infusion of dopamine. The nurse should monitor for which of the following potential side effects?

A.Hypotension

B.Bradycardia

C.Tachycardia and arrhythmias

D.Hypoglycemia

Explanation: Dopamine is a vasopressor that can cause tachycardia and arrhythmias, especially at higher doses. The nurse should closely monitor the patient's heart rate and rhythm.

8Which of the following is a hallmark of right-sided heart failure?

A.Pulmonary edema

B.Orthopnea

C.Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention (JVD)

D.Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Explanation: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, causing peripheral edema (swelling in the legs and ankles) and JVD (distention of the jugular veins in the neck).

9A patient is being treated with a beta-blocker. The nurse should instruct the patient to report which of the following symptoms?

A.Dry mouth

B.Increased energy

C.Dizziness and fatigue

D.Increased appetite

Explanation: Beta-blockers can cause dizziness and fatigue due to their effects on heart rate and blood pressure. Patients should be instructed to report these symptoms, as they may indicate a need for a dosage adjustment.

10What is the primary mechanism of action of statin medications?

A.They block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine

B.They increase the excretion of bile acids

C.They inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase

D.They block the reabsorption of bile acids

Explanation: Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that plays a key role in the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. This leads to a decrease in LDL ('bad') cholesterol levels.

About the CMC Exam

The CMC (Cardiac Medicine Certification) is a subspecialty certification for certified nurses who provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients. The exam is administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Questions

90 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Exam Fee

$230 (members), $340 (non-members) (AACN)

CMC Exam Content Outline

25%

Patient Problems

Acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, and other cardiac conditions.

30%

Patient Care

Monitoring, assessment, and management of cardiac patients, including hemodynamics, pharmacology, and electrical therapies.

20%

Patient Management

Collaboration, communication, and education of patients and families.

25%

Professional Caring and Ethical Practice

Advocacy, clinical inquiry, and facilitation of learning.

How to Pass the CMC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50
Exam length: 90 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: $230 (members), $340 (non-members)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CMC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Review the CMC exam blueprint to understand the content areas and their weightings.

2Use a variety of study materials, including textbooks, review courses, and practice questions.

3Focus on your areas of weakness.

4Take practice exams to assess your readiness and identify areas for improvement.

5Get a good night's sleep before the exam and eat a healthy breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CMC exam?

The CMC (Cardiac Medicine Certification) is a subspecialty certification for certified nurses who provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients.

How many questions are on the CMC exam?

The CMC exam has 90 questions, 15 of which are unscored.

What is the passing score for the CMC exam?

The passing score for the CMC exam is a cut score of 50.

How much does the CMC exam cost?

The CMC exam costs $230 for AACN members and $340 for non-members.