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

November 15, 2023

According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, care in the post anesthesia Phase I focuses on:

  1. preparation of patient and family for home care.
  2. preparation of patient for extended care.
  3. transition of the patient from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an inpatient setting.
  4. transition of the patient from the preoperative to the intraoperative phase.

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. 9

Question of the Week

November 1, 2023

Twenty minutes after admission to the PACU, a 24-year-old patient exhibits a productive cough, dyspnea, and expectoration of pink, frothy sputum. In report, the nurse is told that the patient experienced a post-extubation laryngospasm in the OR. The PACU nurse suspects that the patient has developed:

  1. a tracheal hemorrhage.
  2. acute respiratory failure.
  3. noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
  4. a pulmonary embolism.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 402

Question of the Week

October 18, 2023

The perianesthesia nurse is titrating pain medications for a postoperative patient in Phase I PACU. Pain medication orders have changed from IV fentanyl to IV morphine. The perianesthesia nurse knows that an equivalent analgesic of fentanyl 0.1 mg is:

  1. methadone 20 mg.
  2. morphine 10 mg.
  3. butorphanol 10 mg.
  4. meperidine 125 mg.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 442

Question of the Week

October 4, 2023

The perianesthesia nurse caring for a 60-kg patient who is n.p.o. should maintain IV fluid hourly maintenance rate at:

  1. 45 mL/hr
  2. 55 mL/hr
  3. 65 mL/hr
  4. 100 mL/hr

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 208

Question of the Week

September 20, 2023

A patient is admitted to the PACU with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in place. The perianesthesia nurse understands that a properly placed LMA:

  1. conforms to the hypopharynx.
  2. passes through the glottic opening.
  3. prevents aspiration.
  4. prevents laryngospasm.

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. pp. 428-430

Question of the Week

September 6, 2023

In postoperative patients with a history of end-stage renal disease, the administration of IV glucose and regular insulin is used to correct the complication of:

  1. hyponatremia.
  2. hypokalemia.
  3. hypernatremia.
  4. hyperkalemia.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Nagelhout, J. and Sass, E. Nurse Anesthesia. Seventh Edition. Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, 2023 p. 964

Question of the Week

August 23, 2023

The perianesthesia nurse would be immediately concerned when a postoperative cataract patient awaiting discharge complains of:

  1. irritation or “something in my eye”.
  2. sudden onset of sharp ocular pain.
  3. dizziness and tinnitus.
  4. blurred vision and headache.

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. 673

Question of the Week

August 9, 2023

An 80-year-old patient who is hearing-impaired is being discharged home following cataract removal. In planning the discharge, the perianesthesia nurse should:

  1. avoid low lighting and noisy teaching environments.
  2. avoid using written instructions.
  3. provide small print discharge material.
  4. provide audiovisual aids in a teaching packet.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Patient and family planning and education: Communication principles and techniques Major: 4 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. 121 & 218

Question of the Week

July 26, 2023

A patient is admitted to the PACU following an L4-5 laminectomy with fusion. Thirty minutes after admission, drainage from the surgically placed drain is 500 mL of blood. Vital signs are: BP = 96/40, HR = 116, R = 30, and SpO2 93%. Hemoglobin is 8.5 and hematocrit is 28. The perianesthesia nurse anticipates administering:

  1. crystalloid solution.
  2. red blood cells.
  3. dextran 40.
  4. albumin.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

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. 851

Question of the Week

July 12, 2023

The perianesthesia nurse demonstrates understanding that language and readable instructions are important to patient safety after discharge, by ensuring patient discharge instructions are written in the vocabulary of grade level:

  1. 3
  2. 5
  3. 9
  4. 12

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Patient and family planning and education: Discharge instructions Major: 4 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. 902

Question of the Week

June 28, 2023

Parents visiting the PACU find that their 4-year-old child refuses to allow them to console or give care. The perianesthesia nurse explains that this behavior:

  1. results from the pain that the child is experiencing and will subside with medication.
  2. indicates that the child wants them to leave and return later.
  3. indicates that the parents need to be more firm with the child.
  4. is a normal response to the separation anxiety that the child is feeling.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum pg 145

Question of the Week

June 14, 2023

The perianesthesia nurse demonstrates understanding that language and readable instructions are important to patient safety after discharge, by ensuring patient discharge instructions are written in the vocabulary of grade level:

  1. 3
  2. 5
  3. 9
  4. 12

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Patient and family planning and education: Discharge instructions Major: 4 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. 902

Question of the Week

May 31, 2023 – Updated

A patient has received Vecuronium as part of the anesthesia regimen. The perianesthesia nurse anticipates which of the following IV to be given for reversal of the effects?

  1. Droperidol
  2. Diphenhydramine
  3. Naloxone
  4. Sugammadex

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Anesthesia: Anesthetic and reversal agents Major: 1 Minor: B

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. 284

Question of the Week

May 17, 2023

An ambulatory surgery patient who is post direct laryngoscopy with general anesthesia exhibits stridor. The perianesthesia nurse anticipates orders for:

  1. percussion of the anterior chest.
  2. administration of nebulized racemic epinephrine.
  3. administration of naloxone IV.
  4. suctioning the pharynx.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Airway Management Major: 3 Minor: H

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. 162

Question of the Week

May 3, 2023

According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, a hemodynamically stable 9-year-old patient who is not yet conscious requires which nurse;patient ratio?

  1. 1:1
  2. 1:2
  3. 1:3
  4. 2:1

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. 42

Question of the Week

April 19, 2023

After arrival in the PACU following a radical neck dissection, the patient becomes tachypneic with tracheal deviation and oxygen desaturation. The perianesthesia nurse suspects:

  1. anterior cervical edema.
  2. vocal cord paralysis.
  3. tension pneumothorax.
  4. cervical facet displacement.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 402

Question of the Week

April 5, 2023

The universal symptom of compartment syndrome is:

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

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

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. 705

Question of the Week

March 22, 2023

Which of the following drugs is contraindicated in patients who are sensitive to soybean oil, egg lecithin, or glycerol?

  1. Propofol
  2. Ketorolac
  3. Bupivacaine
  4. Ketamine

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. p. 274

Question of the Week

March 8, 2023

Postoperative discharge teaching for a patient who received an interscalene block with Ropivacaine should include instructions for the patient to:

  1. notify the surgeon for sudden pain or tingling of the arm.
  2. perform full range of motion exercises every 2 hours.
  3. contact the surgeon if the patient's hand is still numb 3 hours after surgery.
  4. protect the elbow to avoid damage to ulnar nerve until block resolves.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

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

Question of the Week

February 22, 2023

Crutch training instruction after arthroscopic right knee surgery should include:

  1. leading with the unaffected leg.
  2. applying dominant weight to axillary pads.
  3. taking large, steady steps.
  4. standing erect and looking downward when walking.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Patient and family planning and education: Discharge instructions Major: 4 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. 700

Question of the Week

February 8, 2023

When conducting a discharge phone call on a patient following a partial thyroidectomy, which of the following complaints should prompt the nurse to recommend immediate medical follow-up?

  1. Tetany
  2. Nausea
  3. Headache
  4. Tinnitus

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. pp. 591-592

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.