2024 CPAN CAPA CERT EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
A 12 year old with known sickle cell disease and autism has undergone an
inguinal hernia repair. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the MAIN
surgical risk to this patient is:
1. hypoxia from anesthesia.
2. end-organ damage.
3. renal insufficiency.
4. toxicity from heavy metal. - CORRECT-ANSWERS1. hypoxia from
anesthesia.
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of Respiratory System
Reference: Hockenberry, M., Wilson, D. Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and
Children. 10th Ed. CV. Mosby, 2015. pg 1348.
The perianesthesia nurse is aware that one major advantage of propofol over
other intravenous induction agents is:
1. predictability of action.
2. rapid patient recovery.
3. increased cerebral perfusion.
4. no airway requirements - CORRECT-ANSWERS2. rapid patient recovery.
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of respiratory system
Reference: Litwack, K. Clinical Coach for Effective Perioperative Nursing
Care, F.A. Davis Co., 2009. pg 48
A week before a patient's surgery, it was noted in the history and physical
assessment that the patient has acute bronchitis. The perianesthesia nurse's
BEST action is to:
1. proceed with surgery.
2. get an order for an antibiotic.
3. notify the surgeon.
4. postpone the surgery. - CORRECT-ANSWERS3. notify the surgeon.
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of respiratory system
Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Perianesthesia
Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements
2015 - 2017. ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ, 2015. pg 34
, Postoperative instructions for symptoms of compartment syndrome include:
1. pain aggravated by passive flexion of the affected limb.
2. skin turgor resembling loose flaccid soft tissue.
3. strong bounding pulses in the affected limb.
4. hypersensitivity to touch in the affected limb. - CORRECT-ANSWERS1. pain
aggravated by passive flexion of the affected limb.
Domain: Behavioral and Cognitive Needs
Content Area: Provide patient/family/significant other education and evaluate
understanding related to discharge care (including, but not limited to,
ambulation, diet, wound care, physical therapy, effects on sexuality, pain
management, catheter care, equipment and medical devices, routine course,
and/or potential complications).
Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Schick, L. and Windle,
P., (Editors) Third Edition. Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum -
Preoperative, Phase I and Phase II PACU Nursing. WB Saunders, St. Louis,
MO., 2015. pg 1021-1022.
A patient arrives in Phase I PACU receiving oxygen by nasal cannula at 2
liters per minute. The wave forms on pulse oximetry are initially normal with
an oxygen saturation of 100%. Ten minutes after arrival to Phase I the alarm
is sounded and the nurse notes that the monitor has stopped tracking the
pulse. The perianesthesia nurse should FIRST:
1. increase the oxygen flow rate to the nasal cannula.
2. move the probe from the finger to the earlobe.
3. encourage patient to cough and deep breathe.
4. evaluate the patient for adverse physiological changes. - CORRECT-
ANSWERS4. evaluate the patient for adverse physiological changes.
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of respiratory system
Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care
Approach. 6th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2013. pg 357.
The nurse providing conscious sedation to a patient:
1. will not have duties that interfere with monitoring of the patient.
2. may circulate as long as monitor alarms are set.
3. may administer propofol for short procedures.
4. may monitor ASA IV patients - CORRECT-ANSWERS1.
Domain: Safety Needs
Content Area: Protect patient from harm and take preventive measures
related to the use of protective safety devices and equipment (including, but
not limited to, padded side rails, safety straps, restraints)
Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Perianesthesia
Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements
2015 - 2017. ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ, 2015. Pg 63.