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

April 6, 2022

A patient admitted postoperatively following a Hickman catheter placement becomes pulseless, unresponsive, and apneic. The perianesthesia nurse begins CPR at the following ratio:

  1. 15 compressions and 1 breaths.
  2. 15 compressions and 2 breaths.
  3. 30 compressions and 1 breath.
  4. 30 compressions and 2 breaths.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. B. Metadata: Knowledge : 36 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 3

Reference: Reference: 2B American Heart Association ACLS Provider Manual Page(s): 112

Question of the Week

March 23, 2022

A patient who received spinal anesthesia and has postoperative hypothermia is rewarmed by radiant heat and experiences a drop in blood pressure. The etiology of this finding is:

  1. vasodilation
  2. myocardial depression
  3. basal metabolic rate
  4. parasympathetic response

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. B. Metadata: Knowledge : 12 / Population Served : 2 / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 11C Drain's PeriAnesthsia Nursing Page(s): 334

Question of the Week

March 9, 2022

The nurse is caring for a patient following an electroconvulsive therapy procedure. The patient is observed closely for bradycardia and:

  1. hyperkalemia
  2. metabolic alkalosis
  3. respiratory acidosis
  4. hypotension

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. B. Metadata: Knowledge : 10 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 841

Question of the Week

February 23, 2022

When a partial non-rebreather mask is used, the O2 flow rate should be sufficient to:

  1. prevent the reservoir bag from collapsing during inspiration.
  2. prevent the reservoir bag from collapsing during exhalation.
  3. allow the reservoir bag to collapse between inspiration and exhalation.
  4. keep the reservoir bag fully inflated during inspiration and exhalation.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. A. Metadata: Knowledge : 14 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 371

Question of the Week

February 9, 2022

The nurse is caring for a patient following an electroconvulsive therapy procedure. The patient is observed closely for bradycardia and:

  1. hyperkalemia
  2. metabolic alkalosis
  3. respiratory acidosis
  4. hypotension

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. B. Metadata: Knowledge : 10 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 841

Question of the Week

January 26, 2022

When a partial non-rebreather mask is used, the O2 flow rate should be sufficient to:

  1. prevent the reservoir bag from collapsing during inspiration.
  2. prevent the reservoir bag from collapsing during exhalation.
  3. allow the reservoir bag to collapse between inspiration and exhalation.
  4. keep the reservoir bag fully inflated during inspiration and exhalation.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. A. Metadata: Knowledge : 14 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 371; Urden – Critical Care Nursing pg. 488 -TABLE 20.1 ‘Oxygen Therapy Systems’

Question of the Week

January 12, 2022

A patient's wound is positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the patient requires which type of isolation precautions?

  1. Respiratory
  2. Contact
  3. Droplet
  4. Standard

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Reference: Drain 52

Question of the Week

December 29, 2021

After extubating a patient, which of the following symptoms should be immediately reported to the anesthesia provider?

  1. sore throat
  2. dry mouth
  3. stridor
  4. hoarseness

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Reference: Nagelhaut 435-436, 1150

Question of the Week

December 15, 2021

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

December 1, 2021

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 17, 2021

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 3, 2021

In the event that a pharmacologically paralyzed patient is inadvertently extubated, the first priority of the PACU nurse is to:

  1. administer a muscarinic anticholinergic drug immediately
  2. establish and maintain the airway and ventilation
  3. administer an anticholinesterase drug immediately.
  4. assess for muscle recovery before reintubating.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Reference: Drain 430

Question of the Week

October 20, 2021

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. "You can do it. It’s not that hard."
  3. "Your doctor will remove it in the office."
  4. "What do you know about the drain?"

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 6, 2021

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

September 22, 2021

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

  1. prone.
  2. on the left side.
  3. on the right 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 8, 2021

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

August 25, 2021

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 11, 2021

The perianesthesia nurse verifies patient understanding regarding post-operative f 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

July 28, 2021

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 14, 2021

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

June 30, 2021

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

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.