CAPA

CAPA® Question of the Week

Each Wednesday at 6am ET, ABPANC will post a CPAN® and a CAPA® study question. Use these questions to test your knowledge, display in your unit and discuss with your colleagues. The answer, along with the next week’s question, will be posted the following Wednesday at 6am.

For each question, we will post the reference from ABPANC’s Study References List, as well as the domain and content area information from the Test Blueprint. For more questions and answers, you can purchase up to 4 Practice Exams.

View all CPAN questions below, or view all CPAN questions.

Question of the Week

May 22, 2024

According to the ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, family visitation in the PACU:

  1. increases patient satisfaction.
  2. decreases patient privacy.
  3. increases cardiovascular complications.
  4. decreases pain management effectiveness.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines: ASPAN standards" Major: 5 Minor: G

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards pg 80-81

Question of the Week

May 8, 2024

A patient arrives in the PACU following liver biopsy. The patient is lying on the left side and is complaining of pain. The perianesthesia nurse's first action is to:

  1. cover the patient with a blanket.
  2. notify the physician for an IV pain medication order.
  3. quickly connect the patient to the monitors.
  4. reposition the patient on the right side.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Injury prevention Major: 3 Minor: E

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach p. 603 Critical Care Nursing Diagnosis and Management p. 679

Question of the Week

April 24, 2024

When transferring a patient, a standardized approach to the hand-off report includes an opportunity for the receiving nurse to:

  1. obtain patient valuables from the transferring nurse.
  2. ask questions from the transferring nurse.
  3. view the patient's past medical records.
  4. ask questions of the patient regarding their care.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines: Healthcare quality and patient safety principles Major: 5 Minor: E

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards p.62

Question of the Week

April 10, 2024

While a 55-year-old patient is being interviewed for elective surgery, the patient reports taking no medications, except for echinacea. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that teaching instructions include:

  1. continuing all herbal supplements up to the day of surgery.
  2. discontinuing all herbal supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery.
  3. knowing that 60% of all modern drugs are derived from plants.
  4. discontinuing all herbal supplements 2 days prior to surgery.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Continuum and transfer of care: Pre-admission" Major: 4 Minor: A

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg. 256-257

Question of the Week

March 27, 2024

A 3-year-old patient with a history of spina bifida is received postoperatively with audible wheezes and retractions. The perianesthesia nurse observes blisters under an adhesive bandage and suspects:

  1. a latex allergy or sensitivity.
  2. a spinal cord lesion.
  3. Sturge-Weber syndrome.
  4. Horner's syndrome.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Physiology: Potential complications to pre-existing conditions" Major: 2 Minor: D

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 239

Question of the Week

March 13, 2024

Following spinal anesthesia, the best indicator of complete return of function is the ability to:

  1. differentiate sensations of cold and heat.
  2. lift lower extremities off the bed.
  3. urinate.
  4. ambulate.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Anesthesia: Anesthesia techniques: Regional" Major: 1 Minor: A

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 332-334

Question of the Week

February 28, 2024

Upon a patient's arrival to the PACU, the perianesthesia nurse assesses the correct placement of the endotracheal tube by:

  1. evaluating the respiratory effort.
  2. checking the cuff inflation.
  3. measuring residual tidal volume.
  4. auscultating the chest bilaterally.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Airway management" Major: 3 Minor: G

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 425

Question of the Week

February 14, 2024

The purpose of administering metoclopramide during the preoperative period is to:

  1. control intraoperative anesthesia requirements.
  2. potentiate the effects of benzodiazepines.
  3. promote gastric emptying.
  4. increase gastric pH.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics" Major: 3 Minor: L

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 411

Question of the Week

January 31, 2024

For a 9-year-old patient, the most appropriate preoperative teaching approach focuses on:

  1. audiovisual material that explains what to expect.
  2. avoiding unnecessary separation from the parent.
  3. verbal explanations of what will happen.
  4. instructions relayed to the parents.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Individualized patient care: Psychosocial factors" Major: 4 Minor: B

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 388

Question of the Week

January 17, 2024

The major symptom of compartment syndrome is:

  1. hypertension.
  2. diminished pulse pressure.
  3. excessive pain.
  4. spasticity.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Abnormal physiological conditions" Major: 3 Minor: D

Reference: Critical Care Nursing Diagnosis and Management pg 794

Question of the Week

January 3, 2024

When caring for an elderly patient after spinal anesthesia, resolution may be prolonged because:

  1. the lean-to-fat ratio is altered.
  2. drug elimination is delayed.
  3. nerve transmission is impaired.
  4. more anesthetic is required.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Anesthesia: Anesthesia considerations for special populations: Geriatric" Major: 1 Minor: D

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 738

Question of the Week

December 20, 2023

The major symptom of compartment syndrome is:

  1. hypertension.
  2. diminished pulse pressure.
  3. excessive pain.
  4. spasticity.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Abnormal physiological conditions" Major: 3 Minor: D

Reference: Critical Care Nursing Diagnosis and Management pg 794

Question of the Week

December 6, 2023

When caring for an elderly patient after spinal anesthesia, resolution may be prolonged because:

  1. the lean-to-fat ratio is altered.
  2. drug elimination is delayed.
  3. nerve transmission is impaired.
  4. more anesthetic is required.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Anesthesia: Anesthesia considerations for special populations: Geriatric Major: 1 Minor: D

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 738

Question of the Week

November 22, 2023

To lessen vertigo, nausea, and vomiting immediately following tympanoplasty, the perianesthesia nurse places the patient in which optimal position?

  1. Semi-Fowler's at 45 degrees
  2. Lateral on the operated side
  3. Position of comfort
  4. Lateral on the unoperated side

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)" Major: 3 Minor: N

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 459

Question of the Week

November 8, 2023

An early sign of a malignant hyperthermia crisis is:

  1. skin flushing.
  2. profound fever.
  3. masseter muscle rigidity.
  4. pink-tinged urine.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Perianesthesia-specific emergencies" Major: 3 Minor: O

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 729, 766

Question of the Week

October 25, 2023

Visits by family or significant others to patients in the PACU has been shown to:

  1. increase length of stay.
  2. decrease staffing requirements.
  3. decrease anxiety level.
  4. increase anxiety level.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines : Evidence-based practice" Major: 5 Minor: B

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards pg 72-75

Question of the Week

October 11, 2023

A perianesthesia nurse plans to remove the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) when the patient can:

  1. blink.
  2. open their eyes on command.
  3. open their mouth on command.
  4. swallow.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Airway management" Major: 3 Minor: G

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 428

Question of the Week

September 27, 2023

The drug of choice for the treatment of malignant hyperthermia is:

  1. fentanyl.
  2. sodium bicarbonate.
  3. dantrolene.
  4. lidocaine.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines: Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) guidelines/protocol Major: 5 Minor: F

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 770 Critical Care Nursing Diagnosis and Management pg 1000

Question of the Week

September 13, 2023

A patient who has undergone a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) suddenly displays restlessness, tremors, and disorientation. The perianesthesia nurse anticipates administering:

  1. lactated Ringer's solution and midazolam IV.
  2. D5/W with potassium 20 mEq/L and diazepam IV.
  3. 3% sodium chloride and furosemide IV.
  4. normal saline and morphine sulfate IV.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Physiology: Physical responses to procedures and anesthesia Major: 2 Minor: C

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg413

Question of the Week

August 30, 2023

During the stir-up regimen, the most important element of lung volume enhancement is the:

  1. timing of the cough.
  2. expiratory effort.
  3. number of deep breaths.
  4. inspiratory hold.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Airway management" Major: 3 Minor: G

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 389-390 Critical Care Nursing Diagnosis and Management pg 990-991

Question of the Week

August 16, 2023

The perianesthesia nurse is aware that according to ACLS guidelines, dopamine is the drug of choice for clinically significant hypotension when:

  1. hypokalemia is absent.
  2. hypovolemia is present.
  3. hypokalemia is present.
  4. hypovolemia is absent.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines: ACLS guidelines" Major: 5 Minor: C

Reference: ACLS Provider Manual, 2020: Pharmacology table

The CPAN® and CAPA® Practice Exams and Question of the Week Program are study tools only. ABPANC’s practice examinations should be regarded as a tool to assess strengths and weaknesses. They are not intended to serve as a study guide nor should they be used as a substitute for studying. While content may be representative of the type of knowledge and skills tested on the CPAN® and CAPA® certification examinations, these materials are not identical to the content of the examinations. A passing score on a practice examination does not in any way guarantee a passing score on any ABPANC certification examination. Use of a practice examination or Question of the Week is not a requirement for eligibility or for success in passing any ABPANC certification examination.

The Practice Exams and Questions of the Week are copyrighted materials owned by ABPANC. Requests to reproduce or otherwise use these materials should be directed to: abpanc@cpancapa.org
© 2019 American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. All rights reserved.