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Created by Laura Williams, MSN, RN, CCRN-CMC-CSC, PCCN, and AACN Sepsis Micro-Credential — a board-certified cardiac medicine nurse with CVICU clinical experience — this self-paced guide gives you rigorous, blueprint-aligned CMC exam prep. IMPORTANT: REVISED CMC 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 CMC 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 Prerequisite: Current clinical nursing specialty certification (CCRN, PCCN, etc.) I. CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONS — 23% Cardiac: Acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina) | Cardiac tamponade | Cardiomyopathies | Dysrhythmias | Heart failure | Hypertensive urgency or emergency | Inflammatory/infectious conditions | Pericardial effusion | Pulmonary edema | Syncope | Valvular disorders Vascular: Acute arterial occlusion | Acute venous thrombosis | Aortic aneurysm or dissection | Hyperlipidemia | Post-intervention vascular complication II. NON-CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONS — 23% Respiratory: Acute pulmonary embolus | ARDS/ALI | Pleural space abnormalities | Pulmonary hypertension | Sleep apnea Endocrine: Adrenal disorders | Diabetes mellitus | Metabolic syndrome | Thyroid disorders Hematology: Coagulopathies | Anemia Neurology: Cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) Renal: AKI | CKD | Electrolyte imbalances Multisystem: MODS | Shock states | Non-cardiac chest pain Behavioral/Psychosocial: Substance use and withdrawal III. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS — 39% Cardiac Procedures: Right and left heart catheterization | PCI | Pericardiocentesis | IABP | LVAD | Percutaneous structural heart interventions Vascular Interventions: Peripheral angiography and interventions | Carotid angiography and interventions | Endovascular grafts | Catheter-directed thrombolysis Cardiovascular Pharmacology: Antidysrhythmics | Anticoagulants | Diuretics | Inotropes | Platelet inhibitors | Thrombolytics | Vasoactive agents Electrophysiologic Interventions: Temporary pacemakers | Permanent pacemakers | Cardiac resynchronization therapy | ICD | External wearable defibrillator | Ablation | Cardioversion | Defibrillation Respiratory: Non-invasive ventilation | Mechanical ventilation Renal: Renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis, CRRT, SCUF) Multisystem: Targeted temperature management | Palliative and end-of-life care IV. MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS — 16% Cardiovascular: Hemodynamic monitoring | Echocardiography | ECG | Laboratory testing | Stress testing | Remote cardiovascular monitoring Respiratory: ABG | Mixed venous gases | Pulse oximetry | EtCO2 | Radiography AACN SYNERGY MODEL: CMC focuses exclusively on the Clinical Judgment component of the Synergy Model. The prerequisite specialty certification (CCRN, PCCN) ensures Professional Caring and Ethical Practice competencies are already validated. 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 patients). Five-year option: 2,000 hours (1,000 must be adult cardiac patients). Exam fees: AACN member $150 | Non-member $240 | Retest $125/$170. Certification period: 3 years. Renewal: 25 Category A Clinical Judgment CERPs pertaining to cardiology | Renewal by exam | Inactive status. Credential display: Laura Williams, RN, CCRN-CMC (attached to specialty certification) CMC EXAM BIBLIOGRAPHY (Selected references) American Heart Association. 2020 Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC. 2020. Bojar RM. Manual of Perioperative Care in Adult Cardiac Surgery. 6th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2021. 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). CMC Exam Handbook. https://www.aacn.org/certhandbooks Contact AACN: 800-899-2226 | certification@aacn.org | www.aacn.org/certification
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