CPAN REVIEW EXAM WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED
A+
◉ What is the most critical preoperative laboratory value to evaluate for
a patient prescribed warfarin?
Answer: International Normalized Ratio (INR).
◉ Which clinical finding in a PACU patient necessitates immediate
intervention?
Answer: Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air.
◉ What is the most probable cause of hypotension and tachycardia in a
PACU patient shortly after surgery?
Answer: Hypovolemia.
◉ What nursing intervention is most suitable for a patient experiencing
postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)?
Answer: Positioning the patient in a side-lying position.
◉ What should the nurse's initial course of action be for a patient with a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute after moderate sedation?
Answer: Administer naloxone as prescribed.
,◉ What is the most important preoperative instruction for a diabetic
patient undergoing surgery?
Answer: Avoid eating or drinking for at least 8 hours before the
procedure.
◉ Which patient is most susceptible to postoperative delirium?
Answer: A 72-year-old patient with a history of dementia.
◉ What assessment finding necessitates additional intervention prior to
discharging a patient after ambulatory surgery?
Answer: Patient is unable to void after receiving IV fluids.
◉ What is the primary course of action for a patient in the PACU
experiencing increased respiratory effort and stridor after extubation?
Answer: Prepare for emergent reintubation.
◉ Which factor elevates the likelihood of postoperative urinary
retention?
Answer: Use of regional anesthesia.
◉ What should the nurse first assess for in a PACU patient with sudden
agitation, tachycardia, and increased respiratory rate?
Answer: Hypoxia.
,◉ Which patient is most susceptible to postoperative pulmonary
complications?
Answer: A 60-year-old smoker with COPD.
◉ What is the most efficient method of evaluating a patient's readiness
for discharge following ambulatory surgery?
Answer: All of the above: their ability to tolerate food and fluids,
ambulate without assistance, and level of pain control with oral
analgesics.
◉ What should the nurse anticipate using for a patient with a history of
malignant hyperthermia scheduled for surgery?
Answer: Dantrolene sodium.
◉ What is the priority intervention for a patient in the PACU with
respiratory distress and stridor?
Answer: Administering racemic epinephrine.
◉ Which medication is most likely to induce prolonged sedation in an
elderly postoperative patient?
Answer: Midazolam.
◉ What is the optimal course of action for a patient experiencing
dizziness after recovering from general anesthesia?
Answer: Encourage slow position changes.
, ◉ What should be done for a patient undergoing a minor procedure
under moderate sedation who experiences a sudden loss of
consciousness?
Answer: Administer naloxone or flumazenil as prescribed.
◉ What is the most dependable indicator of a patient's adequate
ventilation in the PACU?
Answer: End-tidal CO2 measurement within normal range.
◉ What is the primary concern for a patient with gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) undergoing surgery under general anesthesia?
Answer: Increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.
◉ What assessment finding necessitates immediate action for a patient
receiving an epidural catheter for pain management?
Answer: Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute.
◉ Which postoperative patient is at the highest risk for developing deep
vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Answer: A 70-year-old patient with a hip fracture repair.
◉ What is the most effective way to prevent postoperative atelectasis?
Answer: Encouraging use of an incentive spirometer.
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED
A+
◉ What is the most critical preoperative laboratory value to evaluate for
a patient prescribed warfarin?
Answer: International Normalized Ratio (INR).
◉ Which clinical finding in a PACU patient necessitates immediate
intervention?
Answer: Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air.
◉ What is the most probable cause of hypotension and tachycardia in a
PACU patient shortly after surgery?
Answer: Hypovolemia.
◉ What nursing intervention is most suitable for a patient experiencing
postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)?
Answer: Positioning the patient in a side-lying position.
◉ What should the nurse's initial course of action be for a patient with a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute after moderate sedation?
Answer: Administer naloxone as prescribed.
,◉ What is the most important preoperative instruction for a diabetic
patient undergoing surgery?
Answer: Avoid eating or drinking for at least 8 hours before the
procedure.
◉ Which patient is most susceptible to postoperative delirium?
Answer: A 72-year-old patient with a history of dementia.
◉ What assessment finding necessitates additional intervention prior to
discharging a patient after ambulatory surgery?
Answer: Patient is unable to void after receiving IV fluids.
◉ What is the primary course of action for a patient in the PACU
experiencing increased respiratory effort and stridor after extubation?
Answer: Prepare for emergent reintubation.
◉ Which factor elevates the likelihood of postoperative urinary
retention?
Answer: Use of regional anesthesia.
◉ What should the nurse first assess for in a PACU patient with sudden
agitation, tachycardia, and increased respiratory rate?
Answer: Hypoxia.
,◉ Which patient is most susceptible to postoperative pulmonary
complications?
Answer: A 60-year-old smoker with COPD.
◉ What is the most efficient method of evaluating a patient's readiness
for discharge following ambulatory surgery?
Answer: All of the above: their ability to tolerate food and fluids,
ambulate without assistance, and level of pain control with oral
analgesics.
◉ What should the nurse anticipate using for a patient with a history of
malignant hyperthermia scheduled for surgery?
Answer: Dantrolene sodium.
◉ What is the priority intervention for a patient in the PACU with
respiratory distress and stridor?
Answer: Administering racemic epinephrine.
◉ Which medication is most likely to induce prolonged sedation in an
elderly postoperative patient?
Answer: Midazolam.
◉ What is the optimal course of action for a patient experiencing
dizziness after recovering from general anesthesia?
Answer: Encourage slow position changes.
, ◉ What should be done for a patient undergoing a minor procedure
under moderate sedation who experiences a sudden loss of
consciousness?
Answer: Administer naloxone or flumazenil as prescribed.
◉ What is the most dependable indicator of a patient's adequate
ventilation in the PACU?
Answer: End-tidal CO2 measurement within normal range.
◉ What is the primary concern for a patient with gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) undergoing surgery under general anesthesia?
Answer: Increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.
◉ What assessment finding necessitates immediate action for a patient
receiving an epidural catheter for pain management?
Answer: Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute.
◉ Which postoperative patient is at the highest risk for developing deep
vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Answer: A 70-year-old patient with a hip fracture repair.
◉ What is the most effective way to prevent postoperative atelectasis?
Answer: Encouraging use of an incentive spirometer.
