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

June 16, 2021

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 2, 2021

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

May 19, 2021

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

Question of the Week

May 5, 2021

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

  1. vascular fragility.
  2. neffective piloerection.
  3. loss of subcutaneous fat.
  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

April 21, 2021

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

Question of the Week

April 7, 2021

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

Question of the Week

March 24, 2021

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 10, 2021

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

February 24, 2021

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 10, 2021

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

January 27, 2021

On arrival in the PACU, an open cholecystectomy patient is experiencing severe right abdominal pain, tachypnea, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and anxiety. The initial vital signs are: BP = 90/50, HR = 126, R = 30, SpO2 = 88%. The PACU nurse expects to initially treat the patient for:

  1. tachycardia.
  2. hypotension.
  3. tachypnea.
  4. hypoxemia.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. A. Metadata: Knowledge : 9 / Population Served : 2 Adult / Cognitive level : 2

Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 366-367

Question of the Week

January 13, 2021

In Phase I recovery, a child presents with crowing respirations and a bark-like cough. Administration of 40% cool humidified O2 does not relieve the symptoms. The perianesthesia nurse anticipates the need for:

  1. aerosolized albuterol.
  2. subcutaneous epinephrine.
  3. theophylline infusion.
  4. nebulized racemic epinephrine.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Content Area: 1. A. Metadata: Knowledge : 18 / Population Served : 1 Pediatric / Cognitive level : 1

Reference: 7B Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum Page(s): 162

Question of the Week

December 30, 2020

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

  1. muscle fasciculations
  2. nausea
  3. hallucination
  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

December 16, 2020

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

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

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Reference: Core 276

Question of the Week

December 2, 2020

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: Drain 52

Question of the Week

November 18, 2020

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: Core 376, Nagelhaut 435, 1150

Question of the Week

November 4, 2020

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: Core 338

Question of the Week

October 21, 2020

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: Core, pg 145

Question of the Week

October 7, 2020

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

September 23, 2020

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: Physiological Needs

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

Reference: Reference: Core 276

Question of the Week

September 09, 2020

After extubation of a patient, which of the following would be considered most serious?

  1. Sore throat
  2. Impaired swallowing ability
  3. Inspiratory stridor
  4. Hoarseness

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain: Physiological Needs

Content Area: Assess, diagnose, plan, intervene, and evaluate in order to promote stability of the gastrointestinal system.

Reference:

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.