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

January 25, 2023

A 6-year-old child and the parents are experiencing anxiety prior to the child's scheduled surgery. In this situation, the perianesthesia nurse would most appropriately:

  1. instruct the parents not to bring the child's siblings on the day of surgery.
  2. allow the parents to remain with the patient up until surgery.
  3. limit information about inpatient process.
  4. time preparations one day before surgery.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Patient and family planning and education: Discharge instructions 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. 144

Question of the Week

January 11, 2023

The PACU nurse is concerned with renal blood flow in a patient recovering from repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The expected urine output is:

  1. 0.5 mL/kg/hr.
  2. 1-2 mL/kg/hr.
  3. 5 mL/kg/hr.
  4. 10 mL/kg/hr.

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. 197

Question of the Week

December 28, 2022

A patient in the PACU following a parathyroidectomy reports perioral numbness and pain with muscle spasm in the arm after each blood pressure reading. These findings are indicative of:

  1. hypercalcemia.
  2. hypocalcemia.
  3. hypernatremia.
  4. hyponatremia.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

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. 506

Question of the Week

December 14, 2022

Tidal volume is defined as the amount of air:

  1. exchanged in one minute.
  2. passing into or out of the lungs in each respiratory cycle.
  3. remaining within the chest after maximal expiration.
  4. exchanged with full inspiration and expiration.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Reference: Drain 161

Question of the Week

November 30, 2022

In caring for a toddler, the perianesthesia nurse is aware that the primary cause of anxiety prior to surgery is:

  1. fear of the medical equipment.
  2. striving for approval.
  3. loss of privacy.
  4. separation from parents.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Reference: Wong 352

Question of the Week

November 16, 2022

One of the most frequent side effects of ketamine anesthesia is:

  1. hallucination
  2. nausea
  3. muscle fasciculations
  4. bradycardia

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Reference: Drain 282, Core 263

Question of the Week

November 2, 2022

The perianesthesia nurse is giving discharge instructions to a patient when the patient states, "I do not think I will be able to empty this drain by myself." The perianesthesia nurse should start with:

  1. "Would you like me to show you how?"
  2. "What do you know about the drain?"
  3. "You can do it. It’s not that hard."
  4. "Your doctor will remove it in the office."

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 3. D. Metadata: Knowledge : 31 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

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

Question of the Week

October 19, 2022

A patient was treated for laryngospasm with positive pressure and administration of succinylcholine. The perianesthesia nurse's plan for this patient is to:

  1. observe patient for another hour before transfer to the floor.
  2. continue ventilation until complete respiratory functioning has returned.
  3. install a dehumidifier in the patient’s room.
  4. limit the patient's visitors in the room

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 3. B. Metadata: Additional Task : 1 / Knowledge : 9 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 159 (Drain 7th Ed 2018)

Question of the Week

October 5, 2022

The patient was brought to PACU post left pneumonectomy. The perianesthesia nurse should position the patient:

  1. prone.
  2. on the right side.
  3. on the left side.
  4. Trendelenburg.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 3. B. Metadata: Additional Task : 1 / Knowledge : 8 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 486

Question of the Week

September 21, 2022

The perianesthesia nurse has reviewed the surgical consent with the patient prior to a procedure. The patient has further questions. The nurse is aware that these questions should be addressed by the:

  1. OR circulating nurse.
  2. R.N. in the preoperative area.
  3. surgeon performing the procedure.
  4. R.N. in the holding area.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 3. A. Metadata: Knowledge : 39 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 67

Question of the Week

September 7, 2022

A patient in mild respiratory distress is in Phase I PACU. Another patient is a 6-year- old child whose parents have left to eat. A third patient has just arrived from the operating room. There are two patients waiting for discharge to Phase II, and one who is ready for discharge but waiting to void. According to the ASPAN Standards there should be at least:

  1. two nurses.
  2. three nurses.
  3. four nurses.
  4. five nurses.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 3. A. Metadata: Knowledge : 38 / Population Served : 1 Pediatric / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: Reference: (Inactive) 6D American Society of PeriAnesthesia Page(s): (6E) Standards Book 2019- 2020 pages 36-37

Question of the Week

August 24, 2022

The perianesthesia nurse verifies patient understanding regarding post-operative opioid use postoperatively when the patient states that using opioids after surgery can cause:

  1. diarrhea.
  2. nausea and vomiting.
  3. hypotension.
  4. insomnia.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 2. E. Metadata: Knowledge : 17 / Population Served : 2 Adult

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 445

Question of the Week

August 10, 2022

The perianesthesia nurse instructs a patient who received a brachial plexus nerve block to:

  1. immediately report numbness and burning sensation.
  2. be aware all blocks last only for 8 hours.
  3. not apply a brace on the affected arm.
  4. be proactive with pain medication to avoid uncontrollable discomfort.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 2. E. Metadata: Knowledge : 19 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 340

Question of the Week

July 27, 2022

The perianesthesia nurse is aware that which of the following drugs blocks the 5HT3 serotonin receptor?

  1. Haloperidol
  2. Fosaprepitant
  3. Promethazine
  4. Ondansetron

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. N. Metadata: Knowledge : 17 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 251

Question of the Week

July 13, 2022

A pediatric patient is admitted to the PACU after repair of a fractured humerus. The arm is splinted, bent at the elbow, and lying across his chest. He is awake and whimpering, refuses to answer questions, and cries out when touched. Based on FLACC scale of 5, the perianesthesia nurse’s first action is to:

  1. apply 2 liters O2 by nasal cannula.
  2. evaluate for pain medication.
  3. apply an arm sling immediately.
  4. ask permission from patient to take medicine.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. M. Metadata: Knowledge : 13 / Population Served : 1 Pediatric / Cognitive level : 3

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 723

Question of the Week

June 29, 2022

In caring for a patient receiving a blood transfusion, the perianesthesia nurse is aware that the most likely cause of a nonhemolytic febrile transfusion is:

  1. WBC or platelet antibodies.
  2. anti-E–anti-C interaction.
  3. blood type incompatibility.
  4. nonpyrogenic bacteria.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. J. Metadata: Knowledge : 11 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 414 Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 578

Question of the Week

June 15, 2022

A patient complains of tingling in the toes and fingers following a parathyroidectomy; Chvostek’s sign is positive. Pending postoperative orders, the PACU nurse should expect to:

  1. administer dilantin, 100 mg IV slow push.
  2. administer prednisone, 100 mg IV stat.
  3. request stat ionized calcium.
  4. hyperventilate the patient.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. H. Metadata: Knowledge : 22 / Population Served : 2 / Cognitive level : 3

Reference: Reference: Nagelhout, J. and Sass, E. Nurse Anesthesia. Sixth Edition, p 920

Question of the Week

June 1, 2022

A patient is admitted to the PACU following a small-bowel resection. The patient is extremely lethargic, confused, and has the following vital signs: BP = 100/50, R = 8 and shallow, T = 34.8°C (94.6°F). Myxedema coma is diagnosed. Initially, the nurse prepares to:

  1. provide fluid challenge.
  2. administer calcium chloride IV.
  3. rapidly rewarm the patient.
  4. administer levothyroxine IV.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. H. Metadata: Knowledge : 18 / Population Served : 2 / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 500 ; Urden -Critical Care Nursing, pg. pg.759-761

Question of the Week

May 18, 2022

The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the older adult’s tolerance to cold is decreased because of:

  1. loss of subcutaneous fat.
  2. vascular fragility.
  3. ineffective piloerection.
  4. decreased dermal vascularity

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. G. Metadata: Knowledge : 12 / Population Served : 3 / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 210

Question of the Week

May 4, 2022

The patient with a pneumonectomy should never be positioned:

  1. on the non-operative side.
  2. on the operative side.
  3. supine.
  4. in semi-Fowler’s position.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. D. Metadata: Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 3

Reference: Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing pg. 486

Question of the Week

April 20, 2022

A perianesthesia nurse assesses cranial nerve VII in a patient post mastoidectomy by asking the patient to:

  1. wrinkle the forehead.
  2. stick out the tongue.
  3. lift the head.
  4. shrug shoulders.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. C. Metadata: Knowledge : 15 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 458; Urden -Critical Care Nursing, pg.536

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.