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

July 2, 2025

Which of the following suggests the presence of a hematoma following rhytidectomy?

  1. Deficit in cranial nerve 3, 4, or 6
  2. Excessive serosanguinous discharge
  3. Unilateral facial pain
  4. Facial numbness

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.550

Question of the Week

June 18, 2025

One hour after initiation of continuous epidural morphine at 6 mL/hr, the catheter dressing has become saturated with a clear fluid and the patient is very somnolent, with BP = 92/56, HR = 62, R = 6 to 8, and SpO2 = 89%. The appropriate intervention is to:

  1. decrease the infusion rate to 2 mL/hr and assess motor and sensory levels.
  2. stop the infusion and call anesthesia to assess possible catheter migration into the subarachnoid space.
  3. decrease the infusion rate to 4 mL/hr and administer naloxone.
  4. continue the infusion and call anesthesia to assess the need to change the infusion settings.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: C - Physical responses to precedures and anethesia

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.234

Question of the Week

June 4, 2025

A patient who underwent an inguinal hernia repair with spinal anesthesia reports a severe headache that worsens with sitting or standing. The perianesthesia nurse understands the patient is most likely experiencing a:

  1. post spinal syndrome headache.
  2. postdural puncture headache.
  3. post subdural puncture headache.
  4. postepidural syndrome headache.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: C - Physical responses to precedures and anethesia

Reference: General 7C Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021) p.259

Question of the Week

May 21, 2025

According to ACLS guidelines, dopamine is the drug of choice for clinically significant hypotension when:

  1. hypokalemia is absent.
  2. hypovolemia is present.
  3. hypokalemia is present.
  4. hypovolemia is absent.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 5 - Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines Minor: C - ACLS guidelines

Reference: American Heart Association ACLS Provider Manual (2020) appendix, pharmacology table

Question of the Week

May 7, 2025

Elderly patients have an increased risk of aspiration during general anesthesia because of:

  1. a decrease in vagal sensitivity.
  2. an increase in sphincter tone.
  3. an increase in gastric emptying.
  4. a decrease in esophageal motility.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 1 - Anesthesia Minor: D - Anesthesia considerations for special populations

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021), ebook p 211; ch 12

Question of the Week

April 23, 2025

Immediate intervention is required for which abnormal laboratory value?

  1. Sodium = 123 mEq/L
  2. Potassium = 3.5 mEq/L
  3. Chloride = 106 mEq/L
  4. Total CO2 = 24 mEq/L

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 2 - Physiology Minor: B - Physical assessment

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023); ebook 162, 518 ch 41

Question of the Week

April 9, 2025

A positive Chvostek's sign is characterized by:

  1. fasciculation of the extremities.
  2. twitching of the facial muscles if the cheek is tapped over the facial nerve.
  3. carpopedal spasm if the circulation in the arm is impeded.
  4. fine tremor of the hands.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Drain’s PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 8th Ed. (2023) p.494 (ebook)

Question of the Week

March 26, 2025

An 89-year-old patient with peripheral vascular disease, cardiac myopathy, and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus arrives in the PACU following a small bowel resection. The patient is awake and shivering, BP = 180/98, R = 24, T = 35.6°C (96 deg F). After initial assessment, what is the perianesthesia nurse's next step?

  1. Blood glucose monitoring
  2. Rewarming
  3. Stir-up regimen
  4. Fluid management

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Major: 3 - Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention Minor: G - Thermoregulation

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021) p. 327

Question of the Week

March 12, 2025

A postoperative adolescent patient with a recent history of fatigue, headache, and weight loss experiences a delayed awakening and bladder distention. The patient was given general anesthesia with 300 mL of lactated Ringer's solution. The patient is catheterized for 1400 mL of colorless urine. The perianesthesia nurse assesses the patient for:

  1. elevated sodium and potassium levels in the urine.
  2. elevated blood pressure.
  3. decreased cerebral perfusion pressure.
  4. elevated sugar and ketones in the urine.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum (2021) p. 513

Question of the Week

February 26, 2025

A perianesthesia nurse is caring for a 5-year-old male patient that meets the developmental stage for his age. The patient is awake, alert, and verbal. The nurse needs to assess the patient's pain. Which of the following scales would be most appropriate to use on this child?

  1. Wong-Baker FACES scale
  2. FLACC scale
  3. Numerical 0-10 scale
  4. N-PASS scale

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Care Considerations: Individualized patient care: Psychosocial factors (e.g., coping styles, developmental stage, religion/spirituality, culture) Major: 4 Minor: B Subtopic: 2

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. 171

Question of the Week

February 12, 2025

In the care of a conscious patient who has been admitted to the PACU following a thyroidectomy, the most appropriate position is:

  1. reverse Trendelenburg.
  2. side lying with head hyperextended.
  3. prone with knees bent.
  4. Semi-Fowler's position.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Positioning Major: 3 Minor: E

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. 742

Question of the Week

January 29, 2025

A patient is admitted to the PACU following open reduction and internal fixation of a fractured right tibia. The patient now has dyspnea, tachycardia, and a fever. The perianesthesia nurse suspects:

  1. fat embolism.
  2. lung contusion.
  3. pneumonia.
  4. hemothorax.

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. 554

Question of the Week

January 15, 2025

Coughing at the end of an ophthalmic procedure could result in:

  1. the rupture of the globe.
  2. an increase in intraocular pressure.
  3. oculocardiac reflex.
  4. Sjögren's syndrome.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Vital signs and hemodynamic monitoring Major: 3 Minor: B

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 479

Question of the Week

December 25, 2024

A family reports overhearing hospital staff members discussing a combative patient who required restraint. The liability issue of concern is:

  1. personal accountability.
  2. medical malpractice.
  3. invasion of privacy.
  4. defamation of character.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines: Regulatory, legal, and ethical guidelines (e.g., Patient Bill of Rights, privacy and confidentiality, advance directives, informed consent, HIPAA, and the Americans with Disabilities Act) Major: 5 Minor: I

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 94-95

Question of the Week

December 11, 2024

An 80-year-old intubated patient arrives in the PACU status post splenectomy for abdominal trauma. The patient had significant blood loss in the OR. Vitals are: BP = 90/60, HR = 125, RR = 30. What is the best initial treatment for this patient?

  1. Administer a bolus of isotonic fluids.
  2. Start a dopamine infusion of 5mcg/kg/minute.
  3. Increase the ventilator tidal volume.
  4. Administer sodium bicarbonate 1mg/kg.

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

November 27, 2024

According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, the recommended nurse to patient ratio for a patient in isolation upon arrival to PACU is:

  1. 1:01
  2. 2:01
  3. 1:02
  4. 1:03

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines: ASPAN standards American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Major: 5 Minor: G

Reference: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements 2019 - 2020. ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ, 2019. p. 42

Question of the Week

November 13, 2024

The presence of the family visitation in the PACU is most likely to:

  1. increase patient satisfaction.
  2. extend PACU length of stay.
  3. increase the infection rate.
  4. decrease nursing interaction.

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. pp. 80-81

Question of the Week

October 30, 2024

In order to safely transport a pediatric postoperative patient, ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice recommend that the patient should be accompanied by:

  1. a registered health care aid plus a driver.
  2. one responsible adult.
  3. two responsible adults.
  4. one adult and another child to sit with infant.

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. 70

Question of the Week

October 16, 2024

The safest time to remove an LMA is:

  1. when the patient is in high Fowler's position and awake.
  2. after the patient is suctioned during light anesthesia.
  3. during stage II recovery from anesthesia.
  4. when the patient is able to follow commands and open the mouth.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. pp. 429-430

Question of the Week

October 2, 2024

To prevent complications and promote healing for a patient following a right femoral, popliteal bypass surgery, the perianesthesia nurse instructs the patient on the importance of:

  1. applying heel protectors bilaterally.
  2. elevating the right leg on two pillows.
  3. keeping the legs warm with heavy blankets.
  4. ambulating within the first 24 hours.

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

Content Area: Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention: Injury prevention Major: 3 Minor: F

Reference: Odom-Forren, J. Drain's PeriAnesthesia Nursing: A Critical Care Approach. 7th Ed. Elsevier Saunders, 2018. p. 539

Question of the Week

September 18, 2024

The perianesthesia nurse is aware that which of the following cardiac rhythms is more clinically ominous and may progress to a lethal dysrhythmia?

  1. Atrial flutter 1:4 response
  2. Second-degree type II heart block
  3. Atrial fibrillation
  4. First-degree AV block

CPAN/CAPA Test Blueprint

Domain:

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

Reference: American Heart Association. ACLS Provider Manual. 2020 p. 66

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.