CAPA (Certified AmbulAtory Peri
AnesthesiA nurse) PrACtiCe
Questions 200 multiPle-ChoiCe
Questions with Answers &
rAtionAles ComPlete eXAm
Questions And Answers (Verified
Answers) (lAtest uPdAte 2026)
uPdAte!!
SECTION 1: PHASE I & PHASE II RECOVERY (Questions 1-25)
1. What is the primary difference between Phase I and Phase II recovery?
• A. Phase I focuses on pain management; Phase II focuses on discharge teaching
• B. Phase I requires ICU-level monitoring; Phase II is a transitional period to discharge
• C. Phase I is for inpatients; Phase II is for outpatients only
• D. Phase I lasts 2 hours; Phase II lasts 4 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Phase I PACU has monitoring and staffing ratios equivalent to the ICU, providing
immediate post-anesthesia care. Phase II is a transitional period between intense observation
and either the surgical ward or home.
1
, 2. How often must vital signs be assessed during the first 15 minutes of Phase I recovery?
• A. Every 5 minutes
• B. Every 10 minutes
• C. Every 15 minutes
• D. Every 30 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: During the first phase of recovery, vital signs must be assessed and recorded every 5
minutes for the first 15 minutes, then every 15 minutes for the duration of Phase I. Target vitals
should be within 20% of baseline.
3. Which patient is most appropriate for discharge from Phase I PACU care?
• A. Patient with oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
• B. Patient who is fully awake, has stable vital signs, and can move all extremities
• C. Patient with persistent nausea and vomiting
• D. Patient with blood pressure 50 mmHg above baseline
Answer: B
Rationale: Phase I discharge criteria require the patient to be awake/arousable, have stable vital
signs within acceptable parameters, demonstrate adequate motor function, and have minimal
pain and nausea. Hypoxia, uncontrolled symptoms, and significant vital sign abnormalities
indicate the patient is not ready for Phase I discharge.
4. In Phase II recovery, the focus of care is to:
• A. Manage acute postoperative complications
• B. Prepare the patient for discharge to an extended-care environment or home
• C. Provide intensive hemodynamic monitoring
2
, • D. Maintain mechanical ventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: In postanesthesia Phase II, the focus of care is to prepare the patient for discharge to
either an extended-care environment or home with supervision and postanesthesia
instructions. The extended-care environment includes a medical-surgical unit or an ICU.
5. What is the minimum Post-Anesthesia Score (PAS) required for transfer or discharge from
Phase I?
• A. 6 out of 12
• B. 8 out of 12
• C. 10 out of 12
• D. 12 out of 12
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients must score 10 out of a possible 12 on the PAS score for transfer or discharge,
with defined minimal scores being achieved in each category.
6. A patient in Phase I recovery appears ready to transfer except that their blood pressure
continues to stay 50 mmHg above their pre-anesthetic baseline. What should the nurse do?
• A. Transfer the patient as scheduled
• B. Continue to monitor and treat hypertension before transfer
• C. Discharge the patient home
• D. Notify the family
Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent hypertension significantly above baseline is a contraindication for Phase I
discharge. The nurse should continue monitoring and implement interventions to manage the
hypertension before transfer.
3
, 7. Which of the following is a Phase II discharge criterion?
• A. Patient must be fully alert and oriented
• B. Patient must have an appropriate escort for discharge home
• C. Patient must have no pain
• D. Patient must have tolerated oral intake for 4 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: The Post Anesthesia Discharge Scoring System is based on 5 criteria. Patients who
score 9 or greater and have an appropriate escort are ready to go home.
8. A patient who received general anesthesia is admitted to Phase I PACU. What is the nurse's
first action?
• A. Assess pain level
• B. Ensure patent airway and administer oxygen
• C. Check the surgical dressing
• D. Review the operative report
Answer: B
Rationale: The priority interventions for a patient admitted to the PACU are to ensure a patent
airway and administer oxygen. Airway assessment and management take precedence over all
other assessments.
9. What does the abbreviation "PACU" stand for?
• A. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
• B. Pre-Anesthesia Care Unit
• C. Post-Operative Acute Care Unit
• D. Primary Anesthesia Care Unit
4
AnesthesiA nurse) PrACtiCe
Questions 200 multiPle-ChoiCe
Questions with Answers &
rAtionAles ComPlete eXAm
Questions And Answers (Verified
Answers) (lAtest uPdAte 2026)
uPdAte!!
SECTION 1: PHASE I & PHASE II RECOVERY (Questions 1-25)
1. What is the primary difference between Phase I and Phase II recovery?
• A. Phase I focuses on pain management; Phase II focuses on discharge teaching
• B. Phase I requires ICU-level monitoring; Phase II is a transitional period to discharge
• C. Phase I is for inpatients; Phase II is for outpatients only
• D. Phase I lasts 2 hours; Phase II lasts 4 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Phase I PACU has monitoring and staffing ratios equivalent to the ICU, providing
immediate post-anesthesia care. Phase II is a transitional period between intense observation
and either the surgical ward or home.
1
, 2. How often must vital signs be assessed during the first 15 minutes of Phase I recovery?
• A. Every 5 minutes
• B. Every 10 minutes
• C. Every 15 minutes
• D. Every 30 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: During the first phase of recovery, vital signs must be assessed and recorded every 5
minutes for the first 15 minutes, then every 15 minutes for the duration of Phase I. Target vitals
should be within 20% of baseline.
3. Which patient is most appropriate for discharge from Phase I PACU care?
• A. Patient with oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
• B. Patient who is fully awake, has stable vital signs, and can move all extremities
• C. Patient with persistent nausea and vomiting
• D. Patient with blood pressure 50 mmHg above baseline
Answer: B
Rationale: Phase I discharge criteria require the patient to be awake/arousable, have stable vital
signs within acceptable parameters, demonstrate adequate motor function, and have minimal
pain and nausea. Hypoxia, uncontrolled symptoms, and significant vital sign abnormalities
indicate the patient is not ready for Phase I discharge.
4. In Phase II recovery, the focus of care is to:
• A. Manage acute postoperative complications
• B. Prepare the patient for discharge to an extended-care environment or home
• C. Provide intensive hemodynamic monitoring
2
, • D. Maintain mechanical ventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: In postanesthesia Phase II, the focus of care is to prepare the patient for discharge to
either an extended-care environment or home with supervision and postanesthesia
instructions. The extended-care environment includes a medical-surgical unit or an ICU.
5. What is the minimum Post-Anesthesia Score (PAS) required for transfer or discharge from
Phase I?
• A. 6 out of 12
• B. 8 out of 12
• C. 10 out of 12
• D. 12 out of 12
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients must score 10 out of a possible 12 on the PAS score for transfer or discharge,
with defined minimal scores being achieved in each category.
6. A patient in Phase I recovery appears ready to transfer except that their blood pressure
continues to stay 50 mmHg above their pre-anesthetic baseline. What should the nurse do?
• A. Transfer the patient as scheduled
• B. Continue to monitor and treat hypertension before transfer
• C. Discharge the patient home
• D. Notify the family
Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent hypertension significantly above baseline is a contraindication for Phase I
discharge. The nurse should continue monitoring and implement interventions to manage the
hypertension before transfer.
3
, 7. Which of the following is a Phase II discharge criterion?
• A. Patient must be fully alert and oriented
• B. Patient must have an appropriate escort for discharge home
• C. Patient must have no pain
• D. Patient must have tolerated oral intake for 4 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: The Post Anesthesia Discharge Scoring System is based on 5 criteria. Patients who
score 9 or greater and have an appropriate escort are ready to go home.
8. A patient who received general anesthesia is admitted to Phase I PACU. What is the nurse's
first action?
• A. Assess pain level
• B. Ensure patent airway and administer oxygen
• C. Check the surgical dressing
• D. Review the operative report
Answer: B
Rationale: The priority interventions for a patient admitted to the PACU are to ensure a patent
airway and administer oxygen. Airway assessment and management take precedence over all
other assessments.
9. What does the abbreviation "PACU" stand for?
• A. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
• B. Pre-Anesthesia Care Unit
• C. Post-Operative Acute Care Unit
• D. Primary Anesthesia Care Unit
4
