2026 CPAN Certification Practice Test with 350
Prep Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales/ Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
(CPAN) Practice Test 2026/ CPAN / CAPA
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 - ANSWER-1.
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.
A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus is admitted the day of surgery with a
glucose of 610 mg/dl. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the patient may be at
risk for:
1. diabetic ketoacidosis.
2. hypercalcemia.
3. diabetes insipidus.
4. hyperkalemia. - ANSWER-1. DKA
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of Endocrine System
pg. 1
,Reference: Fleisher, L. and Roizen, M. Essence of Anesthesia Practice, 3rd Ed.
Elsevier Health Sciences, December, 2011. Pg 122.
The perianesthesia nurse is aware that which drug is contraindicated in the
pregnant patient?
1. Acetaminophen
2. Famotidine
3. Ondansetron
4. Ketorolac - ANSWER-4. Ketolorac
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: an appropriate medication regimen (including, but not limited to,
minimal interruption of normal medication regimen, preemptive interventions)
Reference: Hodgson, B., and Kizior, R. Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2015.
Saunders (Elsevier), 2015. Pg 660-661
During discharge planning of a patient who has received 6 units of regular
recombinant human insulin (Humulin) subcutaneously, the perianesthesia nurse
recognizes that the PEAK action will occur in:
1. 1-5 hours.
2. 5-7 hours.
3. 10-20 minutes.
4. 30-45 minutes - ANSWER-1. 1 to 5 hours
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: stability of endocrine system
Reference: Hodgson, B., and Kizior, R. Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2015.
Saunders (Elsevier), 2015.pg 622-623.
pg. 2
,A patient in the PACU who received general anesthesia is awake and alert with
stable vital signs. When the perianesthesia nurse removes the patient's oxygen the
O2 saturation periodically drops to 88%. The perianestheisa nurse's next best
action is to:
1. notify the anesthesia provider
2. administer albuterol nebulizer
3. begin the stir-up regimen
4. perform chin lift - ANSWER-3. begin the stir-up regimen
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of respiratory system
Reference: Urden, L., et al. Thelan's Critical Care Nursing, Diagnosis and
Management, 7th Ed. Elsevier, 2014. pg 1103.
During a pre-op assessment, a patient reports taking his morning dose of medical
marijuana. The perianesthesia nurse understands that:
1. recent use may impair ability to give consent.
2. no action is needed due to home medication regimen.
3. it is acceptable if there are no physical signs of marijuana intoxication
4. recent use will decrease post-op agitation - ANSWER-1. recent use may impair
ability to give consent
Domain: Safety Needs
Content Area: Deliver, document, and communicate care based on accepted
national standards of perianesthesia nursing practice and applicable laws,
guidelines, and regulations
Reference: Fleisher, L. and Roizen, M. Essence of Anesthesia Practice, 3rd Ed.
Elsevier Health Sciences, December, 2011. pg 616-617.
Of the following patients, which is MOST APPROPRIATE for fast track to the
Phase II area?
pg. 3
, 1. A 50 year old female who underwent a screening colonoscopy who is responsive
to verbal stimuli
2. A 40 year old who is awake, alert and pain free following a spermatocelectomy
3. A 17 year old female who is awake, alert and complaining of level 5 pain after
open reduction of a wrist fracture
4. A 76 year old inpatient who had a debridement of a heel wound under
intravenous anesthesia - ANSWER-2. A 40 year old who is awake, alert and pain
free following a spermatocelectomy.
Domain: Safety Needs
Content Area: Facilitate patient access to an environment that accommodates
physical, mental, and emotional abilities/limitations
Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Perianesthesia Nursing
Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements 2015 - 2017.
ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ, 2015. Pg 66-67.
The preoperative nurse is aware that the BEST method to prepare a 5 year old child
for surgery is to provide:
1. video to be reviewed more than once with explanation and demonstration on the
day of surgery.
2. a phone call to the guardian 5-7 days prior to surgery with explanation of the
preoperative process.
3. pictures, diagrams and models for practice and handling of actual equipment.
4. an opportunity for the child to speak with nurse without the guardian present. -
ANSWER-3. pictures, diagrams and models for practice and handling of actual
equipment.
Domain: Behavioral and Cognitive Needs
Content Area: Provide patient/family/significant other education and evaluate
understanding related to preparations for procedures/surgery.
pg. 4
Prep Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales/ Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
(CPAN) Practice Test 2026/ CPAN / CAPA
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 - ANSWER-1.
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.
A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus is admitted the day of surgery with a
glucose of 610 mg/dl. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the patient may be at
risk for:
1. diabetic ketoacidosis.
2. hypercalcemia.
3. diabetes insipidus.
4. hyperkalemia. - ANSWER-1. DKA
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of Endocrine System
pg. 1
,Reference: Fleisher, L. and Roizen, M. Essence of Anesthesia Practice, 3rd Ed.
Elsevier Health Sciences, December, 2011. Pg 122.
The perianesthesia nurse is aware that which drug is contraindicated in the
pregnant patient?
1. Acetaminophen
2. Famotidine
3. Ondansetron
4. Ketorolac - ANSWER-4. Ketolorac
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: an appropriate medication regimen (including, but not limited to,
minimal interruption of normal medication regimen, preemptive interventions)
Reference: Hodgson, B., and Kizior, R. Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2015.
Saunders (Elsevier), 2015. Pg 660-661
During discharge planning of a patient who has received 6 units of regular
recombinant human insulin (Humulin) subcutaneously, the perianesthesia nurse
recognizes that the PEAK action will occur in:
1. 1-5 hours.
2. 5-7 hours.
3. 10-20 minutes.
4. 30-45 minutes - ANSWER-1. 1 to 5 hours
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: stability of endocrine system
Reference: Hodgson, B., and Kizior, R. Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2015.
Saunders (Elsevier), 2015.pg 622-623.
pg. 2
,A patient in the PACU who received general anesthesia is awake and alert with
stable vital signs. When the perianesthesia nurse removes the patient's oxygen the
O2 saturation periodically drops to 88%. The perianestheisa nurse's next best
action is to:
1. notify the anesthesia provider
2. administer albuterol nebulizer
3. begin the stir-up regimen
4. perform chin lift - ANSWER-3. begin the stir-up regimen
Domain: Physiological Needs
Content Area: Stability of respiratory system
Reference: Urden, L., et al. Thelan's Critical Care Nursing, Diagnosis and
Management, 7th Ed. Elsevier, 2014. pg 1103.
During a pre-op assessment, a patient reports taking his morning dose of medical
marijuana. The perianesthesia nurse understands that:
1. recent use may impair ability to give consent.
2. no action is needed due to home medication regimen.
3. it is acceptable if there are no physical signs of marijuana intoxication
4. recent use will decrease post-op agitation - ANSWER-1. recent use may impair
ability to give consent
Domain: Safety Needs
Content Area: Deliver, document, and communicate care based on accepted
national standards of perianesthesia nursing practice and applicable laws,
guidelines, and regulations
Reference: Fleisher, L. and Roizen, M. Essence of Anesthesia Practice, 3rd Ed.
Elsevier Health Sciences, December, 2011. pg 616-617.
Of the following patients, which is MOST APPROPRIATE for fast track to the
Phase II area?
pg. 3
, 1. A 50 year old female who underwent a screening colonoscopy who is responsive
to verbal stimuli
2. A 40 year old who is awake, alert and pain free following a spermatocelectomy
3. A 17 year old female who is awake, alert and complaining of level 5 pain after
open reduction of a wrist fracture
4. A 76 year old inpatient who had a debridement of a heel wound under
intravenous anesthesia - ANSWER-2. A 40 year old who is awake, alert and pain
free following a spermatocelectomy.
Domain: Safety Needs
Content Area: Facilitate patient access to an environment that accommodates
physical, mental, and emotional abilities/limitations
Reference: American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Perianesthesia Nursing
Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements 2015 - 2017.
ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ, 2015. Pg 66-67.
The preoperative nurse is aware that the BEST method to prepare a 5 year old child
for surgery is to provide:
1. video to be reviewed more than once with explanation and demonstration on the
day of surgery.
2. a phone call to the guardian 5-7 days prior to surgery with explanation of the
preoperative process.
3. pictures, diagrams and models for practice and handling of actual equipment.
4. an opportunity for the child to speak with nurse without the guardian present. -
ANSWER-3. pictures, diagrams and models for practice and handling of actual
equipment.
Domain: Behavioral and Cognitive Needs
Content Area: Provide patient/family/significant other education and evaluate
understanding related to preparations for procedures/surgery.
pg. 4
