Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse Examination - Test Specifications (Blueprint) - Axis I - Axis II

Sep 25, 2026

Blueprint specifying the CPSN examination content distribution across Axis I clinical practice areas and Axis II nursing activities. Reconstructive procedures account for 65% of test content (head & neck, breast, extremities, abdomen & trunk), while cosmetic/aesthetic procedures account for 35% (surgical 30%, nonsurgical 5%). Nursing activities are assessed through pre-, during, and post-treatment responsibilities, patient teaching, and professional nursing practice, aligned to revised fall 2015 and spring 2017 updates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Clinical Practice Areas

Reconstructive

Cosmetic/Aesthetic

Nursing Activities

Assess and monitor patient status

Plan and administer treatment(s)

Teach patient for optimal outcomes

Professional nursing practice

Exam Distribution and Question Allocation

Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse Examination Test Specifications (Blueprint) Axis I Clinical Practice Areas A. Reconstructive (65% of test content) 1. Head & neck-15% 2. Breast-25% 3. Extremities-10% 4. Abdomen & trunk-15% B. Cosmetic/Aesthetic (35% of test content) 1. Surgical-30% 2. Nonsurgical aesthetic-5% Axis II Nursing Activities I. Assess and monitor patient status, physical & psychosocial-35% A. Pre-treatment B. During treatment C. Post-treatment II. Plan and administer treatment(s) -30% A. Pre-treatment B. During treatment C. Post-treatment III. Teach patient to promote optimal outcomes-25% A. Pre-treatment B. Post-treatment IV. Professional nursing practice-10% Revised Fall 2015/Effective Spring 2017 CPSN Examination Distribution of 175 Test Questions |
Nursing Activities
Patient Problems | 1
Assess & monitor, physical & psychosocial (35%) | 2
Plan & administer treatment(s)
(30%) | 3 Teach to promote optimal outcomes
(25%) | 4
Professional
nursing
practice
(10%) | Total | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | I. Reconstructive
A. Head & neck-15% | 9-10 | 7-8 | 6-7 | 2-3 | 26-27
(15%) | | B. Breast-25% | 15-16 | 13-14 | 11-12 | 4-5 | 43-44
(25%) | | C. Extremities-10% | 6-7 | 5-6 | 4-5 | 1-2 | 17-18
(10%) | | D. Abdomen & trunk-15% | 9-10 | 7-8 | 6-7 | 2-3 | 26-27
(15%) | | II. Cosmetic/Aesthetic
E. Surgical-30% | 18-19 | 15-16 | 13-14 | 2-3 | 52-53
(30%) | | F. Nonsurgical aesthetic-5% | 2-3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 8-9
(5%) | | Total | 61-62
(35%) | 52-53
(30%) | 43-44
(25%) | 17-18
(10%) | 175
100% | Revised Fall 2015/Effective Spring 2017 CPSN Practice I. Reconstructive-65% A. Head and neck-15% 1. Disease process-Cranial-facial congenital anomalies-cleft lip & palate; Vascular malformations-hemangiomas, Port wine stain, Arteriovenous malformation; cancers, skin lesions 2. Trauma-facial fractures, Le Forte fx, mandibular fractures, burns, soft tissue trauma, animal bites B. Breast-25% 1. Disease process-cancer, benign tumors, congenital Poland syndrome, asymmetry, nipple deformity (e.g., inversion) 2. Trauma-soft tissue injury, burns, necrosis, abscesses (pressure ulcers) C. Extremities-10% 1. Disease process-cancers, ulcers, amputation, contractures, benign tumors (ganglion, mucocysts, epidermoid inclusion cyst) 2. Trauma-amputation, burns, lacerations, fractures, gamekeeper’s injury, dislocation of digits, brachial plexus injury, vascular injury (replantation, revascularization), animal bites D. Abdomen & trunk-15% 1. Disease process-cancers, benign tumors, post-bariatric surgeries, vaginal reconstruction 2. Trauma-burns, soft tissue injuries, gunshot wounds, avulsion injuries, genital injury. II. Cosmetic/Aesthetic-35% A. Surgical-30% 1. Head and neck-rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, cheek augmentation, chin augmentation, ears, face lift, brow lift, hair transplant, neck lift, suctionassisted liposuction (SAL) . 2. Breast-augmentation, reduction, revision, mastopexy, malegynecomastia, SAL. Revised Fall 2015/Effective Spring 2017 3. Extremities-arm lift, SAL, thigh lift. 4. Abdomen & trunk-Body contouring: buttock augmentation, SAL, lower body lift, tummy tuck, labiaplasty, vaginaplasty. B. Nonsurgical/Aesthetic-5% 1. Aesthetic injectables. 2. Laser, light, & energy therapies. 3. Clinical skin care. Domestic violence, MVAs cause the trauma in every category. Keloids, hypertrophic scarring Revised Fall 2015/Effective Spring 2017 Nursing Activities I. Assess and Monitor Patient Status, Physical and Psychosocial (35%) A. Pre-Treatment 1. Identify patient expectations. 2. Determine if patient’s expectations are realistic. 3. Perform health assessment. (a) Medical History (look at autoimmune disease – neurotoxin---amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lambert-Eaton) . Clotting factor problems, hx of clots, diabetes, renal disease,

FAQs

How is the CPSN test content divided between reconstructive and cosmetic/aesthetic topics?

Reconstructive content is 65% of test material, and cosmetic/aesthetic content is 35%. Surgical accounts for 30% and nonsurgical aesthetic for 5% within the cosmetic/aesthetic portion.

What nursing activity domains are covered under Axis II?

Axis II includes assess and monitor patient status (physical and psychosocial) at 35%, plan and administer treatments at 30%, teach patients to promote optimal outcomes at 25%, and professional nursing practice at 10%.

What changes are noted for the exam distribution timeline?

The specifications reference revised fall 2015 and effective spring 2017, including the CPSN examination distribution of 175 test questions and the practice activity breakdown.

Sep 25, 2026

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