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Created by Laura Williams, MSN, RN, CCRN-CMC-CSC, PCCN, and AACN Sepsis Micro-Credential — a board-certified cardiac surgery nurse with CVICU clinical experience — this self-paced guide gives you rigorous, blueprint-aligned CSC exam prep. IMPORTANT: REVISED CSC EXAM LAUNCHES NOVEMBER 19, 2026 The test plan below applies to exams taken ON OR BEFORE November 18, 2026. If you are testing after November 18, 2026, refer to www.aacn.org > Certification > Revised CMC and CSC Exams for the updated blueprint. Content in this program reflects the current (pre-November 2026) exam. OFFICIAL CSC EXAM BLUEPRINT | AACN Certification Corporation | August 2026 Source: AACN Certification Corporation. (2026). Certification Exam Handbooks. https://www.aacn.org/certhandbooks FORMAT: 90 multiple-choice items | 2 hours | 75 scored + 15 unscored | 100% Clinical Judgment Focus: Direct care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac surgery patients within the FIRST 48 HOURS postoperatively Prerequisite: Current clinical nursing specialty certification (CCRN, PCCN, etc.) I. PROCEDURES — 11% Cardiovascular: CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass | CABG without CPB (off-pump) | Cox maze and modified maze procedure | Minimally invasive cardiac surgery | Pericardial window | Repair of non-congenital heart defects (LV aneurysm, VSD post MI) | Surgical valve repair or replacement | TAVR Thoracic: Endovascular repair of the aorta | Open repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection II. COMPLICATIONS — 33% Cardiovascular: Cardiogenic shock | Hypotension and hypertension | Hypovolemia and hypervolemia | Bleeding | Myocardial infarction | Myocardial stunning | Open chest from the OR | Pericarditis | Dysrhythmias | Right heart failure | Cardiac tamponade | Vascular complications (compartment syndrome, retroperitoneal bleeding) Respiratory: Acute respiratory failure | ARDS | TRALI | TACO | Pleural space abnormalities | Air-leak syndromes | Aspiration | Atelectasis | Pleural effusion | Prolonged mechanical ventilation | Pulmonary hypertension Endocrine: Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia Hematology/Immunology: Protamine reactions | Coagulopathies | Anemia | HIT Neurology: Postoperative impaired cognition | Stroke | Lower limb deficits (spinal cord ischemia, paralysis) | Delirium GI: Ischemic bowel Renal: AKI | Electrolyte imbalances Multisystem: MODS | Chronic and acute pain | Acid-base imbalances | Malignant hyperthermia Behavioral/Psychosocial: Preexisting behavioral health disorder (anxiety, PTSD) | Substance use and withdrawal III. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS — 43% Cardiovascular: Fluid volume management specific to cardiac surgery | Defibrillation and cardioversion | Emergent resternotomy | CALS | Temporary pacing | IABP | Short-term VADs | ECMO | Pericardial and mediastinal drain Pharmacology: Platelet inhibitors | Thrombolytics | Anticoagulants | Vasoactive agents | Antidysrhythmics | Inotropes | Diuretics | Beta-blockers | Statins | Agents for controlling bleeding (desmopressin acetate, factor VII, antifibrinolytics) | Pulmonary vasodilators | Sedation | Neuromuscular blockade Respiratory: Pleural chest tubes and drains | Invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation | Oxygen therapy delivery devices | Post-extubation care Endocrine: Glycemic control Hematology/Immunology: Blood and blood products Neurology: Lumbar drain | Pain management Renal: Renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis, CRRT) Standards of Care: DVT prophylaxis | Early mobility protocols | GI prophylaxis | Surgical site protocols | Recovery from anesthesia | Rewarming from hypothermia | Pneumonia prevention IV. MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS — 13% Cardiovascular: Hemodynamic monitoring | Echocardiography | ECG | Laboratory testing Respiratory: ABG | Mixed venous gas | Pulse oximetry | Capnography | Radiography Neurology: BIS monitoring | Cerebral oximetry monitoring | Train-of-four (TOF) EXAM POLICIES (Source: AACN Certification Exam Policy Handbook, 2026) Eligibility: Current unencumbered U.S. RN/APRN license + current accredited clinical nursing specialty certification. Two-year option: 1,750 hours direct care of acutely/critically ill adults (875 must be adult cardiac surgery patients within first 48 hours postop). Five-year option: 2,000 hours (1,000 must be adult cardiac surgery patients within first 48 hours postop). Exam fees: AACN member $150 | Non-member $240. Certification period: 3 years. Renewal: 25 Category A Clinical Judgment CERPs (CSC content) | Renewal by exam | Inactive status. Credential display: Laura Williams, RN, CCRN-CSC (or CCRN-CMC-CSC if holding both) CSC EXAM BIBLIOGRAPHY (Selected references) Bojar RM. Manual of Perioperative Care in Adult Cardiac Surgery. 6th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2021. Hardin SR, Kaplow R. Cardiac Surgery Essentials for Critical Care Nursing. 3rd ed. Jones & Bartlett; 2019. Jacobson C, Marzlin K, Webner C. Cardiovascular Nursing Practice. 3rd ed. 2021. Lough ME. Hemodynamic Monitoring. Mosby/Elsevier; 2015. Sorajja P, Lim MJ, Kern MJ. Kern's Cardiac Catheterization Handbook. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2019. Urden LD, Stacy KM, Lough ME. Critical Care Nursing: Diagnosis and Management. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2021. Full bibliography: AACN Certification Corporation. (2026). CSC Exam Handbook. https://www.aacn.org/certhandbooks Contact AACN: 800-899-2226 | certification@aacn.org | www.aacn.org/certification
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