CPAN COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS & REVIEW 2026/2027 |
HIGH-YIELD CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE Q&A
| CORRECT ANSWERS | KEY PERIANESTHESIA NURSING
TOPICS | LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. What is the appropriate initial response of a perianesthesia nurse to a patient
expressing distress in the PACU?
Sedate the patient secondary to postanesthetic confusion
Allow a brief visit at a time appropriate for patient, visitors, and staff
Reassure the patient and administer an analgesic
Inform the patient that visitation is prohibited in the PACU
2. The patient was rushed to the emergency room for difficulty in breathing.
Vital signs are as follows: BP 130/90 mmHg, PR: 105 bpm, RR: 25 cpm, T: 37.8
C. Wheezing is evident upon auscultation. Based on assessment made by the
nurse, what drug is he will anticipate to prepare?
Albuterol (Proventil)
Neostigmine (Prostigmin)
Bisoprolol (Zebata)
Dopamine (Dobutrex)
3. The perianesthesia RN recognizes that upon a patient's arrival to the PACU, a
side effect of ketamine anesthesia is
Marked salivation
Decreased muscle tone
Nausea/Vomiting
Hypotension
,4. A screening tool referred to as the STOPBANG questionnaire is most useful
for determining a patient's risk for:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Coronary Artery Disease
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension
5. Which class of medication can modify the dissociative state caused by
ketamine anesthesia?
anticonvulsant
antagonist
antiarrhythmic
benzodiazepine
6. Which commitment is specifically excluded from the PACU
education/research committee's responsibilities?
individual progress of each nurse
excellence in practice
development of innovative thinking
freedom of inquiry
7. The perianesthesia nurse should utilize which of the following screening tools
to identify patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea?
Pasero Opioid Induced Sedation Scale
Ramsey Sedation Scale
, STOP-Bang Questionnaire
Aldrete Scoring Tool
8. The patient is undergoing total right hip replacement (hip arthroplasty) and is
unable to dorsiflex the right foot. What nerve is injured?
sural
sciatic
peroneal
femoral cutaneous
9. A patient develops inspiratory stridor after extubation. What immediate
nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Encourage the patient to speak to assess hoarseness.
Provide throat lozenges to soothe the sore throat.
Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for potential
reintubation.
Monitor vital signs and document the findings.
10. In a scenario where a patient has a history of respiratory issues, which
approach for a brachial plexus nerve block would you recommend and
why?
subclavicular
supraclavicular
axillary
interscalene
, 11. A nurse in the PACU notes that a patient who had general anesthesia asks the
same question about where they are and what happened repeatedly. The
nurse's best action would be to:
Ask the patient if they remember having surgery.
Consult with the lead nurse about the patient's behavior.
Explain to the patient where they are and what has happened.
Call anesthesia and ask them to come and evaluate the patient.
12. When preparing a patient for a brachial plexus nerve block for upper
extremity surgery, the perianesthesia nurse is aware that the safest and
easiest approach is:
subclavicular.
axillary.
interscalene.
supraclavicular.
13. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expressions and is assessed
during a tympanoplasty evaluation?
VII
V
XII
IX
14. A preop pt asks the perianesthesia nurse what the facility is doing to prevent
post op surgical site infections. With knowledge of surg. Care improvement
project Scip the RN informs the pt antibiotics should be administered :
HIGH-YIELD CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE Q&A
| CORRECT ANSWERS | KEY PERIANESTHESIA NURSING
TOPICS | LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. What is the appropriate initial response of a perianesthesia nurse to a patient
expressing distress in the PACU?
Sedate the patient secondary to postanesthetic confusion
Allow a brief visit at a time appropriate for patient, visitors, and staff
Reassure the patient and administer an analgesic
Inform the patient that visitation is prohibited in the PACU
2. The patient was rushed to the emergency room for difficulty in breathing.
Vital signs are as follows: BP 130/90 mmHg, PR: 105 bpm, RR: 25 cpm, T: 37.8
C. Wheezing is evident upon auscultation. Based on assessment made by the
nurse, what drug is he will anticipate to prepare?
Albuterol (Proventil)
Neostigmine (Prostigmin)
Bisoprolol (Zebata)
Dopamine (Dobutrex)
3. The perianesthesia RN recognizes that upon a patient's arrival to the PACU, a
side effect of ketamine anesthesia is
Marked salivation
Decreased muscle tone
Nausea/Vomiting
Hypotension
,4. A screening tool referred to as the STOPBANG questionnaire is most useful
for determining a patient's risk for:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Coronary Artery Disease
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension
5. Which class of medication can modify the dissociative state caused by
ketamine anesthesia?
anticonvulsant
antagonist
antiarrhythmic
benzodiazepine
6. Which commitment is specifically excluded from the PACU
education/research committee's responsibilities?
individual progress of each nurse
excellence in practice
development of innovative thinking
freedom of inquiry
7. The perianesthesia nurse should utilize which of the following screening tools
to identify patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea?
Pasero Opioid Induced Sedation Scale
Ramsey Sedation Scale
, STOP-Bang Questionnaire
Aldrete Scoring Tool
8. The patient is undergoing total right hip replacement (hip arthroplasty) and is
unable to dorsiflex the right foot. What nerve is injured?
sural
sciatic
peroneal
femoral cutaneous
9. A patient develops inspiratory stridor after extubation. What immediate
nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Encourage the patient to speak to assess hoarseness.
Provide throat lozenges to soothe the sore throat.
Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for potential
reintubation.
Monitor vital signs and document the findings.
10. In a scenario where a patient has a history of respiratory issues, which
approach for a brachial plexus nerve block would you recommend and
why?
subclavicular
supraclavicular
axillary
interscalene
, 11. A nurse in the PACU notes that a patient who had general anesthesia asks the
same question about where they are and what happened repeatedly. The
nurse's best action would be to:
Ask the patient if they remember having surgery.
Consult with the lead nurse about the patient's behavior.
Explain to the patient where they are and what has happened.
Call anesthesia and ask them to come and evaluate the patient.
12. When preparing a patient for a brachial plexus nerve block for upper
extremity surgery, the perianesthesia nurse is aware that the safest and
easiest approach is:
subclavicular.
axillary.
interscalene.
supraclavicular.
13. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expressions and is assessed
during a tympanoplasty evaluation?
VII
V
XII
IX
14. A preop pt asks the perianesthesia nurse what the facility is doing to prevent
post op surgical site infections. With knowledge of surg. Care improvement
project Scip the RN informs the pt antibiotics should be administered :
