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

April 26, 2023

A 20-kg child is admitted to the PACU following a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. After the child vomits, the anesthesiologist orders ondansetron. The proper IV dosage for this patient is:

  1. 0.15 mg/kg
  2. 0.25 mg/kg
  3. 0.5 mg/kg
  4. 1 mg/kg

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum pg 177

Question of the Week

April 12, 2023

While being cared for postoperatively, a patient confides, "I remember the entire surgery." After notifying the anesthesia provider, the perianesthesia nurse:

  1. discharges patient with postoperative instructions.
  2. apologizes and sympathizes.
  3. instructs the patient that it did not occur.
  4. discourages discussion of the event.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg. 406-407

Question of the Week

March 29, 2023

Following treatment of a malignant hyperthermia crisis, dysrhythmias persist despite the correction of hyperkalemia and acidosis. The perianesthesia nurse questions an order for:

  1. amiodarone.
  2. verapamil.
  3. procainamide.
  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 773

Question of the Week

March 15, 2023

A patient with a history of COPD, hypertension, alcoholism, and mitral valve regurgitation arrived in the PACU following surgery with spinal anesthesia. Vital signs are BP = 190/120, HR = 120, R = 18, and SpO2 = 80%. The perianesthesia nurse's first action is to:

  1. check the patient's capillary blood sugar.
  2. administer O2 at 3 L/min via nasal cannula.
  3. apply O2 via mask at 10 L/min.
  4. prepare the patient for intubation.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Normal and abnormal diagnostic results" Major: 3 Minor: A

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 692

Question of the Week

March 1, 2023

A patient who has severe cardiovascular disease and limited activity, but is not incapacitated, is considered:

  1. ASA I.
  2. ASA II.
  3. ASA III.
  4. ASA IV.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) guidelines" Major: 5 Minor: H

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum pg. 51

Question of the Week

February 15, 2023

One of the earliest physical assessment findings in tension pneumothorax is:

  1. generalized cyanosis.
  2. a deviated point of maximal intensity (PMI).
  3. laryngeal stridor.
  4. a decrease in breath sounds.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: "Physiology : Psysical Assessment" Major: 2 Minor: B

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg402

Question of the Week

February 1, 2023

The most effective preoperative educational strategy for demonstrating the perioperative experience to a group of preschool-aged children is a:

  1. long slide show and a tour of the OR.
  2. puppet show and a short slide presentation of a child traveling through surgery.
  3. demonstration and lecture of the OR equipment.
  4. movie about surgery and expectations during a stay in the ambulatory center.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children pg427

Question of the Week

January 18, 2023

A primary focus for preadmission assessment is to:

  1. reduce the mortality and morbidity rate.
  2. evaluate fitness for anesthesia and surgery.
  3. establish the necessity of the procedure.
  4. order laboratory and other diagnostic tests.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards pg40

Question of the Week

January 4, 2023

Following a rhytidectomy, one of the earliest indications of complication is:

  1. ptosis with periorbital edema.
  2. severe unilateral pain.
  3. a positive Chvostek's sign.
  4. discoloration of facial tissue.

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 654

Question of the Week

December 21, 2022

With consideration of amnesic effects from anesthetic medications, postoperative instructions should be:

  1. given to the patient and a responsible adult in written form.
  2. given only to a member of the patient's family.
  3. documented in the patient's chart.
  4. written at a third-grade reading level.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 4; Minor: C Subtopic: 3 Content Area: "Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Patient and family planning and education: Discharge instructions"

Reference: Drain's Perianesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach pg 657

Question of the Week

December 7, 2022

A patient who is 8 months pregnant, is admitted for an emergency repair of a lacerated Achilles tendon. During the assessment, which of the following positions should this patient be placed?

  1. Right lateral
  2. Left lateral
  3. Supine
  4. Trendelenburg

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Domain: 1 Content Area/Task: M.

Reference: Reference: Drain pg. 750 Nagelhout’s Nurse Anesthesia (6th edition); pp. 1,064-1,065

Question of the Week

November 23, 2022

Flumazenil inhibits the central nervous system effects of benzodiazepines by:

  1. competing for the receptor sites.
  2. stimulating the cerebral cortex.
  3. occupying the mu receptor sites.
  4. metabolizing the medications.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Domain: 1 Content Area/Task: L.

Reference: Reference: Drain pg. 277 Nagelhout’s Nurse Anesthesia (6th edition); p. 107

Question of the Week

November 9, 2022

A patient calls the preoperative center asking whether to continue taking his daily dose of clonidine. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that clonidine should be:

  1. taken only if the surgeon deems it necessary.
  2. stopped at least 3 days preoperatively.
  3. stopped at least 5 days preoperatively.
  4. taken daily as prescribed.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Domain: 2 Content Area/Task: E.

Reference: Reference: Nagelhout pg 169

Question of the Week

October 26, 2022

A preoperative patient asks what the facility is doing to prevent postoperative surgical site infections. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that according to the surgical care improvement project (SCIP), preop antibiotics should be administered:

  1. within 60 minutes of incision time.
  2. prior to induction.
  3. prior to leaving the holding area.
  4. upon arrival to the facility.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Domain: 3 Content Area/Task: A.

Reference: Reference: Drain pg 53; Nagelhout’s Nurse Anesthesia (6th edition), p. 190

Question of the Week

October 12, 2022

A healthy patient inquires about NPO guidelines prior to surgery. Based on ASA guidelines, the perianesthesia nurse will reply:

  1. no solids for 6 hours and allow clear liquids 2 hours before surgery.
  2. no solids past midnight and allow clear liquids up to 4 hours before surgery.
  3. no solids for 4 hours and allow clear liquids up to 1 hour before surgery.
  4. no solids for 8 hours and allow clear liquids up to 3 hours before surgery.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: E. Provide patient/family/significant other education and evaluate understanding related to the perianesthesia/ procedural experience.

Reference: Reference: Nagelhout’s Nurse Anesthesia (6th edition); p.343

Question of the Week

September 28, 2022

A patient in Phase II recovery is complaining of nausea. Initially, the perianesthesia nurse instructs the patient to:

  1. inhale and exhale quickly.
  2. take deep breaths.
  3. turn the head to the side.
  4. utilize Reiki or imagery.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: E. Assess, diagnose, plan, intervene, and evaluate in order to promote stability of the gastrointestinal system.

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing 2018 Page(s): p. 411-412

Question of the Week

September 14, 2022

Effective postoperative education is achieved when the nurse:

  1. provides written instructions to the patient.
  2. completes the preoperative teaching plan.
  3. listens to a return verbalization.
  4. observes family participation.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 3. D. Metadata: Knowledge : 29 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive Level : 1

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): p 902

Question of the Week

August 31, 2022

The ASPAN established guidelines for an ambulatory surgery patient receiving moderate sedation require:

  1. a registered nurse providing continuous monitoring.
  2. the presence of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
  3. continuous end tidal CO2 monitoring.
  4. continuous O2 administration.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 3. A. Metadata: Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive Level : 1

Reference: Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements, P. 74

Question of the Week

August 17, 2022

A 68-year-old diabetic patient is scheduled for ankle arthroscopy. The plan is for a popliteal block monitored anesthesia care (MAC) The perianesthesia nurse knows that regional blocks may be considered for diabetic patients because they cause fewer:

  1. psychological disturbances.
  2. risks of infection.
  3. metabolic disturbances.
  4. risks of nerve injury.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 2. E. Metadata: Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive Level : 2

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 513

Question of the Week

August 3, 2022

During a follow-up phone call for inguinal hernia repair, the patient states has significant scrotal edema. The perianesthesia nurse informs the patient:

  1. this is a normal post-operative expectation.
  2. to monitor temperature twice a day.
  3. to contact the physician immediately.
  4. soaking in a warm tub is beneficial.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 2. E. Metadata: Knowledge : 25 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive Level : 2

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing 2018 Page(s): p 602-603

Question of the Week

July 20, 2022

Flumazenil is contraindicated in patients known to be physically dependent on:

  1. beta blockers.
  2. benzodiazepines.
  3. calcium channel blockers.
  4. corticosteroids.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. M. Metadata: Knowledge : 20 / Population Served : 04 / Cognitive Level : 1

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): p 268

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.