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CPAN Exam Preparation –
Perianesthesia Nursing Review (Newest
Version) – Comprehensive Practice
Questions with Answers
A patient in Phase II is experiencing nausea and refusing any medication.
Which essential oil may be inhaled to treat post-operative nausea and
vomiting?
a) Rose
b) Sandalwood
c) Lemongrass
d) Peppermint
ANSWER: Peppermint
Based on the Surgical Care Improvement Project protocol, perioperative use
of which class of medication is associated with decreased morbidity and
mortality in vascular surgery patients?
a) Calcium channel blockers
b) Diuretics
c) Anxiolytics
d) Beta blockers
ANSWER: Beta Blockers
A patient in the PACU develops acute anaphylactic shock. In addition to
initiating O2, the perianesthesia nurse anticipates administering:
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a) fluids and epinephrine.
b) steroids and dobutamine.
c) norepinephrine and fluids.
d) plasma protein fraction and beta blockers.
ANSWER: fluids and epi
Which of the following pre-existing conditions is associated with the highest
risk of postoperative pulmonary complications?
a) Obesity
b) Diabetes
c) Malnutrition
d) COPD
ANSWER: COPD
Which of the following suggests the presence of a hematoma following
rhytidectomy?
a) Deficit in cranial nerve 3, 4, or 6
b) Excessive serosanguinous discharge
c) Unilateral facial pain
d) Facial numbness
ANSWER: unilateral face pain
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
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very somnolent, with BP = 92/56, HR = 62, R = 6 to 8, and SpO2 = 89%. The
appropriate intervention is to:
a) decrease the infusion rate to 2 mL/hr and assess motor and sensory levels.
b) stop the infusion and call anesthesia to assess possible catheter migration into
the subarachnoid space.
c) decrease the infusion rate to 4 mL/hr and administer naloxone.
d) continue the infusion and call anesthesia to assess the need to change the
infusion settings.
ANSWER: stop the infusion and call anesthesia to assess possible catheter
migration into the subarachnoid space.
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:
a) post spinal syndrome headache.
b) postdural puncture headache.
c) post subdural puncture headache.
d) postepidural syndrome headache.
ANSWER: postdural puncture headache.
According to ACLS guidelines, dopamine is the drug of choice for clinically
significant hypotension when:
a) hypokalemia is absent.
b) hypovolemia is present.
c) hypokalemia is present.
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d) hypovolemia is absent.
ANSWER: hypovolemia is absent.
Elderly patients have an increased risk of aspiration during general
anesthesia because of:
a) a decrease in vagal sensitivity.
b) an increase in sphincter tone.
c) an increase in gastric emptying.
d) a decrease in esophageal motility.
ANSWER: decrease in esophageal motility
Immediate intervention is required for which abnormal laboratory value?
a) Sodium = 123 mEq/L
b) Potassium = 3.5 mEq/L
c) Chloride = 106 mEq/L
d) Total CO2 = 24 mEq/L
ANSWER: Sodium = 123 mEq/L
Sodium 135-145
Potassium 3.5-5
Chloride 96-106
CO2 20-29
Magnesium 1.7-2.2
CPAN Exam Preparation –
Perianesthesia Nursing Review (Newest
Version) – Comprehensive Practice
Questions with Answers
A patient in Phase II is experiencing nausea and refusing any medication.
Which essential oil may be inhaled to treat post-operative nausea and
vomiting?
a) Rose
b) Sandalwood
c) Lemongrass
d) Peppermint
ANSWER: Peppermint
Based on the Surgical Care Improvement Project protocol, perioperative use
of which class of medication is associated with decreased morbidity and
mortality in vascular surgery patients?
a) Calcium channel blockers
b) Diuretics
c) Anxiolytics
d) Beta blockers
ANSWER: Beta Blockers
A patient in the PACU develops acute anaphylactic shock. In addition to
initiating O2, the perianesthesia nurse anticipates administering:
, 2
a) fluids and epinephrine.
b) steroids and dobutamine.
c) norepinephrine and fluids.
d) plasma protein fraction and beta blockers.
ANSWER: fluids and epi
Which of the following pre-existing conditions is associated with the highest
risk of postoperative pulmonary complications?
a) Obesity
b) Diabetes
c) Malnutrition
d) COPD
ANSWER: COPD
Which of the following suggests the presence of a hematoma following
rhytidectomy?
a) Deficit in cranial nerve 3, 4, or 6
b) Excessive serosanguinous discharge
c) Unilateral facial pain
d) Facial numbness
ANSWER: unilateral face pain
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
, 3
very somnolent, with BP = 92/56, HR = 62, R = 6 to 8, and SpO2 = 89%. The
appropriate intervention is to:
a) decrease the infusion rate to 2 mL/hr and assess motor and sensory levels.
b) stop the infusion and call anesthesia to assess possible catheter migration into
the subarachnoid space.
c) decrease the infusion rate to 4 mL/hr and administer naloxone.
d) continue the infusion and call anesthesia to assess the need to change the
infusion settings.
ANSWER: stop the infusion and call anesthesia to assess possible catheter
migration into the subarachnoid space.
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:
a) post spinal syndrome headache.
b) postdural puncture headache.
c) post subdural puncture headache.
d) postepidural syndrome headache.
ANSWER: postdural puncture headache.
According to ACLS guidelines, dopamine is the drug of choice for clinically
significant hypotension when:
a) hypokalemia is absent.
b) hypovolemia is present.
c) hypokalemia is present.
, 4
d) hypovolemia is absent.
ANSWER: hypovolemia is absent.
Elderly patients have an increased risk of aspiration during general
anesthesia because of:
a) a decrease in vagal sensitivity.
b) an increase in sphincter tone.
c) an increase in gastric emptying.
d) a decrease in esophageal motility.
ANSWER: decrease in esophageal motility
Immediate intervention is required for which abnormal laboratory value?
a) Sodium = 123 mEq/L
b) Potassium = 3.5 mEq/L
c) Chloride = 106 mEq/L
d) Total CO2 = 24 mEq/L
ANSWER: Sodium = 123 mEq/L
Sodium 135-145
Potassium 3.5-5
Chloride 96-106
CO2 20-29
Magnesium 1.7-2.2
