CPAN

CPAN® 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 CAPA questions.

Question of the Week

December 31, 2025

According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, minimum safe staffing parameters for Phase I PACU includes:

  1. at least two registered nurses.
  2. a nurse-patient ratio of 1:1 for general surgical patients.
  3. a nurse-patient ratio of 1:3 for ambulatory surgical patients.
  4. at least one nurse.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards (ASPAN) 2023-2024 p.49

Question of the Week

December 17, 2025

A patient underwent bilateral inguinal hernia repair with mesh under general anesthesia. The wound was infiltrated with 0.25% bupivacaine. The patient asks the perianesthesia nurse when to expect the local anesthetic to wear off. The appropriate response is:

  1. 3 - 10 hours after injection.
  2. 11 - 15 hours after injection.
  3. 16 - 22 hours after injection.
  4. 24 - 36 hours after injection.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 1 - Anesthesia Minor: A - Anesthesia techniques

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.198-202t

Question of the Week

December 3, 2025

After an interscalene block injection, the patient experiences nasal congestion and drooping of the eyelid on the side where the block was performed. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the patient is experiencing:

  1. Horner's syndrome.
  2. cardiovascular stimulation.
  3. Kernig's sign.
  4. allergic reaction.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.271 (ebook)

Question of the Week

November 19, 2025

An 8-month-old is admitted to the PACU post closure of a tracheostomy. Vital signs are: BP = 84/35, HR = 170, R = 28. The infant exhibits a weak cry, diminished breath sounds and bilateral subcutaneous emphysema. Within 5 minutes, the infant is nonresponsive, HR = 55, R = 10, and SpO2 = 78% on 100% O2 via face mask. The priority nursing action is to:

  1. attempt a needle decompression.
  2. administer 2 mg/kg of atropine.
  3. call a code and begin CPR.
  4. hyperventilate with a bag-valve-mask

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: American Heart Association PALS Provider Manual (2020) Part 12 Management: Pediatric Bradycardia with a Pulse

Question of the Week

November 5, 2025

A perianesthesia nurse notices that several patients have arrived in PACU with low O2 saturations. The nurse would like to implement a study of the problem. The first step is to:

  1. collect related current literature.
  2. formulate the research question.
  3. define the problem.
  4. identify the desired outcome.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.716 (ebook)

Question of the Week

October 22, 2025

A pregnant patient is admitted to the PACU following a cholecystectomy. The patient's systolic BP drops from 160 to 90, circumoral cyanosis and a new heart murmur are noted, and the cardiac monitor shows premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The perianesthesia nurse knows to position the patient in:

  1. high Fowler's.
  2. left lateral position.
  3. supine.
  4. Trendelenburg.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: C - Physical responses to precedures and anethesia

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p. 748 (ebook)

Question of the Week

October 8, 2025

The most common dysrhythmia in pediatric patients in cardiac arrest is:

  1. a complete heart block.
  2. ventricular fibrillation.
  3. ventricular tachycardia.
  4. asystole.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 5 - Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines Minor: D - PALS guidelines

Reference: American Heart Association PALS Provider Manual (2020); Chapter 5, Recognizing Cardiac Arrest

Question of the Week

September 24, 2025

A patient underwent brachial plexus block using the supraclavicular approach. Upon arrival to the Phase I PACU, the patient reports chest pains that increase with deep breaths. The perianesthesia nurse's first response is to:

  1. perform a 12-lead EKG.
  2. arrange transfer to a critical care unit.
  3. administer an analgesic.
  4. assess effectiveness of the block.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 1 - Anesthesia Minor: A - Anesthesia techniques

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021) p. 398-399

Question of the Week

September 10, 2025

A perianesthesia nurse explains to a patient that pulse oximetry is used:

  1. as a noninvasive way to determine O2 saturation.
  2. because it is not affected by peripheral vascular disease.
  3. as a replacement for the need for other indices of oxygenation.
  4. because it is unaffected by hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 4 - Perianethesia Care Considerations Minor: C - Patient and family planning and education

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.287 (ebook)

Question of the Week

August 27, 2025

A patient in Phase II is experiencing nausea and refusing any medication. Which essential oil may be inhaled to treat post-operative nausea and vomiting?

  1. Rose
  2. Sandalwood
  3. Lemongrass
  4. Peppermint

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: C - Physical responses to precedures and anethesia

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach 8th Ed. (2023) p. 334 (ebook)

Question of the Week

August 13, 2025

Based on the Surgical Care Improvement Project protocol, perioperative use of which class of medication is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality in vascular surgery patients?

  1. Calcium channel blockers
  2. Diuretics
  3. Anxiolytics
  4. Beta blockers

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.445

Question of the Week

July 30, 2025

A patient in the PACU develops acute anaphylactic shock. In addition to initiating O2, the perianesthesia nurse anticipates administering:

  1. fluids and epinephrine.
  2. steroids and dobutamine.
  3. norepinephrine and fluids.
  4. plasma protein fraction and beta blockers.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.668 (ebook)

Question of the Week

July 16, 2025

Which of the following pre-existing conditions is associated with the highest risk of postoperative pulmonary complications?

  1. Obesity
  2. Diabetes
  3. Malnutrition
  4. COPD

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: A - Pathophysiology of the body systems

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.691

Question of the Week

July 2, 2025

Which of the following suggests the presence of a hematoma following rhytidectomy?

  1. Deficit in cranial nerve 3, 4, or 6
  2. Excessive serosanguinous discharge
  3. Unilateral facial pain
  4. Facial numbness

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.550

Question of the Week

June 18, 2025

One hour after initiation of continuous epidural morphine at 6 mL/hr, the catheter dressing has become saturated with a clear fluid and the patient is very somnolent, with BP = 92/56, HR = 62, R = 6 to 8, and SpO2 = 89%. The appropriate intervention is to:

  1. decrease the infusion rate to 2 mL/hr and assess motor and sensory levels.
  2. stop the infusion and call anesthesia to assess possible catheter migration into the subarachnoid space.
  3. decrease the infusion rate to 4 mL/hr and administer naloxone.
  4. continue the infusion and call anesthesia to assess the need to change the infusion settings.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: C - Physical responses to precedures and anethesia

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.234

Question of the Week

June 4, 2025

A patient who underwent an inguinal hernia repair with spinal anesthesia reports a severe headache that worsens with sitting or standing. The perianesthesia nurse understands the patient is most likely experiencing a:

  1. post spinal syndrome headache.
  2. postdural puncture headache.
  3. post subdural puncture headache.
  4. postepidural syndrome headache.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: C - Physical responses to precedures and anethesia

Reference: General 7C Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021) p.259

Question of the Week

May 21, 2025

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: Major: 5 - Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines Minor: C - ACLS guidelines

Reference: American Heart Association ACLS Provider Manual (2020) appendix, pharmacology table

Question of the Week

May 7, 2025

Elderly patients have an increased risk of aspiration during general anesthesia because of:

  1. a decrease in vagal sensitivity.
  2. an increase in sphincter tone.
  3. an increase in gastric emptying.
  4. a decrease in esophageal motility.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021), ebook p 211; ch 12

Question of the Week

April 23, 2025

Immediate intervention is required for which abnormal laboratory value?

  1. Sodium = 123 mEq/L
  2. Potassium = 3.5 mEq/L
  3. Chloride = 106 mEq/L
  4. Total CO2 = 24 mEq/L

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: B - Physical assessment

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023); ebook 162, 518 ch 41

Question of the Week

April 9, 2025

A positive Chvostek's sign is characterized by:

  1. fasciculation of the extremities.
  2. twitching of the facial muscles if the cheek is tapped over the facial nerve.
  3. carpopedal spasm if the circulation in the arm is impeded.
  4. fine tremor of the hands.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 3 - Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention Minor: I - Fluid and electrolyte management

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.494 (ebook)

Question of the Week

March 26, 2025

An 89-year-old patient with peripheral vascular disease, cardiac myopathy, and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus arrives in the PACU following a small bowel resection. The patient is awake and shivering, BP = 180/98, R = 24, T = 35.6°C (96 deg F). After initial assessment, what is the perianesthesia nurse's next step?

  1. Blood glucose monitoring
  2. Rewarming
  3. Stir-up regimen
  4. Fluid management

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 3 - Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention Minor: G - Thermoregulation

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021) p. 327

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.