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

September 4, 2024

The perianesthesia nurse is aware that which of the following cardiac rhythms is more clinically ominous and may progress to a lethal dysrhythmia?

  1. Atrial flutter 1:4 response
  2. Second-degree type II heart block
  3. Atrial fibrillation
  4. First-degree AV block

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: American Heart Association. ACLS Provider Manual. 2020 p. 66

Question of the Week

August 21, 2024

The perianesthesia nurse is aware that discharge instructions for a patient receiving a supraclavicular block should include which of the following?

  1. Report numbness and hand tingling to surgeon today.
  2. Start narcotics after full function returns.
  3. Resume normal activity upon returning home.
  4. Keep arm elevated in sling until sensation returns.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Individualized patient care: Environmental factors (e.g., noise, temperature, air flow, latex) Major: B Minor: 4 Subtopic: 1

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 340

Question of the Week

August 7, 2024

The perianesthesia nurse instructs a patient scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove body piercings prior to arrival as they may cause:

  1. injury and infection.
  2. increased pain in the incision site.
  3. adverse medication interaction.
  4. EKG monitoring interference.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Infection prevention and control Major: 3 Minor: J

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 54

Question of the Week

July 24, 2024

A patient who is cognitively impaired is admitted to the PACU. The patient becomes frightened and combative and attempts to get out of bed. The perianesthesia nurse's best response is to:

  1. ambulate the patient to the bathroom.
  2. reunite the patient with the caregiver as soon as possible.
  3. gently restrain the patient's arms.
  4. anticipate administration of an anxiolytic.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Schick, L. and Windle, P., (Editors) Fourth Edition. Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum; Preprocedure, Phase l and Phase ll PACU Nursing. Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2021. p. 208

Question of the Week

July 10, 2024

A 2-year-old patient is sedated and admitted to the Phase I PACU following cleft palate repair. Which of the following is the proper positioning of this patient in the immediate postoperative phase?

  1. Semi-Prone
  2. High Fowler's
  3. Reverse Trendelenburg
  4. Supine

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Positioning Major: 3 Minor: E

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 652-653

Question of the Week

June 26, 2024

In evaluating the care of a patient with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), the PACU nurse will consider which of the following?

  1. VRE can live for weeks on surfaces such as bed rails.
  2. The patient should be placed in a negative-pressure room.
  3. Transmission-based droplet precautions should be utilized.
  4. Gloves are a sufficient barrier device.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Infection prevention and control Major: 3 Minor: J

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 50-52

Question of the Week

June 12, 2024

According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, the perianesthesia nurse administering moderate sedation to a patient makes sure that an emergency cart with a defibrillator is:

  1. immediately available during the administration.
  2. available on the next floor, near the elevator.
  3. available only for patients with an ASA score of 2 or less.
  4. immediately available upon request from the code team.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements 2019 - 2020. ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ, 2019. p. 75

Question of the Week

May 29, 2024

The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the most important intervention for the pediatric patient in emergence delirium is:

  1. monitoring and controlling body temperature.
  2. having a parent present.
  3. the presence of padded side rails.
  4. providing tender loving care.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Complications with emergence Major: 3 Minor: C

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 726-727

Question of the Week

May 15, 2024

An agitated, restless, and inconsolable patient arrives in the Phase I PACU. After initial assessment, the perianesthesia nurse's next intervention is to:

  1. bring family members to the bedside.
  2. arouse the patient.
  3. provide a safe environment.
  4. medicate the patient for pain.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Complications with emergence Major: 3 Minor: C

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum ; Preprocedure, Phase l and Phase ll PACU Nursing. Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2021. pp. 855-856 Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 726-727"

Question of the Week

May 1, 2024

An agitated, restless, and inconsolable patient arrives in the Phase I PACU. After initial assessment, the perianesthesia nurse's next intervention is to:

  1. bring family members to the bedside.
  2. arouse the patient.
  3. provide a safe environment.
  4. medicate the patient for pain.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Complications with emergence Major: 3 Minor: C

Reference: "American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Schick, L. and Windle, P., (Editors) Fourth Edition. Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum ; Preprocedure, Phase l and Phase ll PACU Nursing. Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2021. pp. 855-856 Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 726-727"

Question of the Week

April 17, 2024

It is important for a perianesthesia nurse to understand that a child’s ability to classify and estimate pain normally develops around the age of:

  1. 4 or 5 years.
  2. 7 or 8 years.
  3. 10 or 11 years.
  4. 13 or 14 years.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Individualized patient care: Psychosocial factors (e.g., coping styles, developmental stage, religion/spirituality, culture) Major: B Minor: 4

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 716

Question of the Week

April 3, 2024

A 9-year-old child post appendectomy is in the PACU and is receiving morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The nurse observes the mother activating the PCA. The perianesthesia nurse's most appropriate action is to:

  1. notify the provider.
  2. encourage the parent to activate the PCA as needed.
  3. explain that only the patient is to operate the pump.
  4. discontinue the PCA.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 716

Question of the Week

March 20, 2024

The occurrence of post-dural puncture headache is most frequently attributed to:

  1. a history of migraine headaches.
  2. poor positioning.
  3. a slow loss of cerebrospinal fluid at puncture site.
  4. caffeine deprivation.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 334

Question of the Week

March 6, 2024

According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, staffing of perianesthesia units should be based on:

  1. a standard ratio regardless of acuity.
  2. vacation schedules and bed availability.
  3. patient acuity and physical facility.
  4. the number of staff with ACLS and PALS.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Perianesthesia Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements 2019 - 2020. ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ, 2019. p. 31

Question of the Week

February 21, 2024

Upon awakening in the PACU, a 3-year-old patient is inconsolable and refuses the attention of the nurse. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that this behavior is considered:

  1. a normal response of the protest phase of separation anxiety.
  2. passive resistance which is often used by toddlers.
  3. to be related to the pain of surgery.
  4. to be frustration related to the lack of privacy.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Schick, L. and Windle, P., (Editors) Fourth Edition. Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum ; Preprocedure, Phase l and Phase ll PACU Nursing. Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2021. p. 156

Question of the Week

February 7, 2024

A patient is admitted to the PACU following a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Intraoperatively, the patient required chest tube placement for development of a tension pneumothorax. The perianesthesia nurse understands that which of the following in the patient’s history could be problematic at this time?

  1. Diabetes
  2. COPD
  3. Osteoporosis
  4. Angina

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 691-692

Question of the Week

January 24, 2024

After receiving an interscalene block, the patient complains of shortness of breath. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the block may have affected which nerve?

  1. Transverse cervical
  2. Supraclavicular
  3. Phrenic
  4. Recurrent laryngeal

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 335

Question of the Week

January 10, 2024

While assisting an anesthesiologist performing a block for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, the perianesthesia nurse observes that the affected arm becomes warm to the touch and flushed. The patient reports a sensation of heaviness in the arm. The perianesthesia nurse knows that this indicates which of the following?

  1. Ineffective regional block
  2. Severe allergic reaction
  3. Successful therapeutic block
  4. Extravasation of the medication

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 340

Question of the Week

December 27, 2023

After receiving an interscalene block, the patient complains of shortness of breath. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the block may have affected which nerve?

  1. Transverse cervical
  2. Supraclavicular
  3. Phrenic
  4. Recurrent laryngeal

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 335

Question of the Week

December 13, 2023

While assisting an anesthesiologist performing a block for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, the perianesthesia nurse observes that the affected arm becomes warm to the touch and flushed. The patient reports a sensation of heaviness in the arm. The perianesthesia nurse knows that this indicates which of the following?

  1. Ineffective regional block
  2. Severe allergic reaction
  3. Successful therapeutic block
  4. Extravasation of the medication

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 340

Question of the Week

November 29, 2023

While caring for a patient after lumbar posterior nerve root rhizotomy, the perianesthesia nurse notes the patient has no movement or sensation to the lower extremities. The priority nursing action is to notify the:

  1. anesthesiologist of muscle paralysis.
  2. operating room of the complications.
  3. surgeon of the absence of sensation.
  4. surgeon of lack of motor ability.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Schick, L. and Windle, P., (Editors) Fourth Edition. Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum ; Preprocedure, Phase l and Phase ll PACU Nursing. Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2021. p. 497

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.