CSC Question Bank

Pass your Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC) exam on the first try.

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Boston Children's Hospital
Optum
Scripps
Baylor Scott & White
Atrium Health
Providence
UR Medicine
WVU Medicine
KU Medical center
Unity point health
AuthoraCare
Lightways
Advocate Health
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Hackensack Meridian Health
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Beth Israel Lahey Health
UPMC
UNC Health
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1500+
Questions in CSC Question Bank
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CSC simulation exams that gauge exam readiness
100%
Questions follow CSC blueprint
96%
Avg pass rate for those who complete the whole course

Exam Sections Covered in BoardCerts
CSC Question Bank

Comprehensive coverage of all exam domains with detailed topic breakdowns to ensure your success.

SECTION 1

Procedures

  • Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) without cardiopulmonary bypass
  • Cox maze and modified maze procedure
  • Minimally invasive cardiac surgery
  • Pericardial window
  • Repair of non-congenital heart defects (e.g., left-ventricular aneurysm, VSD post MI)
  • Surgical valve repair or replacement
  • Transcatheter valve replacement (e.g., TAVR)
  • Endovascular repair of the aorta
  • Open repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection
Exam blueprint areas coveredCSC
SECTION 2

Complications

  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Hypotension and hypertension
  • Hypovolemia and hypervolemia
  • Bleeding
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Myocardial stunning
  • Open chest from the operating room
  • Pericarditis
  • Dysrhythmias
  • Right heart failure
  • Cardiac tamponade
  • Vascular complications (e.g., compartment syndrome, retroperitoneal bleeding)
  • Acute respiratory failure
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
  • Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
  • Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)
  • Pleural space abnormalities (e.g., pneumothorax)
  • Air-leak syndromes (e.g., pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum)
  • Aspiration
  • Atelectasis
  • Pleural effusion
  • Prolonged mechanical ventilation
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
  • Protamine reactions
  • Coagulopathies
  • Anemia
  • Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
  • Postoperative impaired cognition
  • Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
  • Lower limb deficits (e.g., spinal cord ischemia, paralysis)
  • Delirium
  • Ischemic bowel
  • Acute kidney injury
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Multisystem organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)
  • Chronic pain
  • Acute pain
  • Acid-base imbalances
  • Malignant hyperthermia
  • Preexisting behavioral health disorder (e.g., anxiety, PTSD)
  • Substance use and withdrawal
Exam blueprint areas coveredCSC
SECTION 3

Therapeutic Interventions

  • Fluid volume management specific to cardiac surgery
  • Defibrillation and cardioversion
  • Emergent resternotomy
  • Cardiac surgery advanced life support (CALS)
  • Temporary pacing
  • Intra-aortic balloon pump
  • Short-term ventricular assist devices (VADs)
  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Pericardial and mediastinal drain
  • Pleural chest tubes and drains
  • Invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation
  • Oxygen therapy delivery devices
  • Platelet inhibitors
  • Thrombolytics
  • Anticoagulants
  • Vasoactive agents
  • Antidysrhythmics
  • Inotropes
  • Diuretics
  • Beta-blockers
  • Statins
  • Pharmacologic agents for controlling bleeding (e.g., desmopressin acetate, factor VII, antifibrinolytics)
  • Pulmonary vasodilators
  • Sedation
  • Neuromuscular blockade
  • Glycemic control
  • Blood and blood products
  • Lumbar drain
  • Pain management
  • Renal replacement therapy (e.g., hemodialysis, CRRT)
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis
  • Early mobility protocols
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) prophylaxis
  • Surgical site protocols
  • Recovery from anesthesia
  • Rewarming from hypothermia
  • Pneumonia prevention
Exam blueprint areas coveredCSC
SECTION 4

Monitoring and Diagnostics

  • Hemodynamic monitoring
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography (ECG)
  • Laboratory testing
  • Arterial blood gas (ABG)
  • Mixed venous gas
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Capnography
  • Radiography
  • Bispectral index monitoring (BIS)
  • Cerebral oximetry monitoring
  • Train-of-four (TOF)
Exam blueprint areas coveredCSC
Hospitals hiring certified nurses
Mount Sinai
Massachusetts General Hospital
Hopkins Medicine
Huston Methodist
Penn Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Cedars Sinai
Stanford Healthcare
Northwell Health
UCLA Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
Mount Sinai
Massachusetts General Hospital
Hopkins Medicine
Huston Methodist
Penn Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Cedars Sinai
Stanford Healthcare
Northwell Health
UCLA Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
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Resources and Preparation

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CSC Additional Resources
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CSC Question Bank

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What nurses are saying about BoardCerts

Reviews from nurses across our community (designation and platform shown when provided).

Amy Schaar

RN, CEN

Emergency Department

"I found this platform incredibly helpful. The bookmark feature, hints during practice tests, and well-structured flashcards make studying much more effective and less stressful. It’s especially great for managing test anxiety, as it guides you to think through questions clearly. I only wish I had this when preparing for my CEN exam. I would definitely recommend it to other nurses pursuing board certifications."

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Kalli Knight

RN

School Nursing

"I had a lot of fun exploring this app—it’s very easy to use and gives clear guidance on where to start, which makes studying much less overwhelming. The predictor exams, customizable quizzes, and ability to revisit incorrect questions were especially helpful for improving understanding. The question bank felt very real-world and is particularly valuable for school nurses, helping build confidence in areas you may not have learned in nursing school."

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Briana Kesselring

MSN, CRNP, CNOR

Operating Room

"I was really impressed with the platform. It offers a variety of tools for different learning styles, and the lectures are clear, informative, and easy to follow. The ability to switch between quiz questions and flashcards makes learning quick and effective. I learned a lot in a short time and would highly recommend this product"

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Charity Adaobi Nwodo

RN, BSN

Pediatrics

"I really appreciate how well-structured the platform is, from the flashcards to the question bank, making it easy to navigate and focus on specific topics. The user-friendly interface and clear explanations help reinforce understanding and support quick recall of clinical knowledge. I would definitely recommend this product for both exam preparation and ongoing learning."

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Victoria

RN, BSN

NICU

"I really liked the flashcards and how I could focus on specific topics, making it easier to understand what each question is asking. The predictor exams and analytics are especially helpful in showing where I need improvement, so I can study more efficiently. Features like notes, study planner, and hints make the whole experience very effective—I definitely feel like it does the job"

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The CSC Question Bank offers expertly crafted practice questions with in-depth explanations and references. Each question is designed to align with the CSC exam blueprint, providing a comprehensive and confidence-building preparation experience.