CPAN CERTIFIED POST ANESTHESIA NURSE
EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK (2026/2027 EDITION)
175 Questions (Reflecting the official CPAN exam, 3.5 hours) - Complete Test Bank
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This test bank is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American
Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC), ASPAN, or any other organization. It is provided for
educational and self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute for official certification materials,
standards, or professional guidance. Standards are subject to change; always consult current ABPANC and
ASPAN references.
, Section 1: Airway Management & Respiratory Care – Assessment,
Maintenance, Complications (30 questions)
Q1: Which of the following is the priority for a patient with an obstructed airway?
A. Provide oxygen
B. Document
C. Call the family
D. Open the airway and clear the obstruction [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Opening and clearing the airway is the priority. The others occur after airway management.
Q2: Which maneuver is used to open the airway when a spinal injury is suspected?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Neck hyperextension
C. Jaw-thrust [CORRECT]
D. None
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Jaw-thrust opens the airway without moving the neck. The others are incorrect.
Q3: Which maneuver is used to open the airway in a patient with no suspected spinal injury?
A. Jaw-thrust
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift [CORRECT]
C. Lateral recumbent
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Head-tilt/chin-lift opens the airway when no spinal injury is suspected. The others are incorrect.
Q4: Which of the following is TRUE about an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
A. It is used only in unconscious patients without a gag reflex [CORRECT]
B. It can be used in conscious patients
C. It is used in alert patients
D. It is optional
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An OPA is only for unconscious patients without a gag reflex. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is TRUE about a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
A. It is used when a gag reflex is present or the mouth cannot be opened [CORRECT]
B. It is used in conscious patients
C. It is optional
D. It is never used
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An NPA is used when a gag reflex is present or the mouth cannot be opened. The others are
incorrect.
CPAN Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which of the following is a sign of upper airway obstruction?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Stridor, hoarseness, or inability to speak [CORRECT]
C. Normal voice
D. Absent obstruction signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor, hoarseness, and difficulty speaking indicate upper airway obstruction. The others are
reassuring.
Q7: Which of the following is a sign of laryngospasm?
A. Clear lungs
B. Normal breathing
C. High-pitched inspiratory stridor with respiratory distress [CORRECT]
D. No symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Laryngospasm causes high-pitched stridor with respiratory distress. The others are reassuring.
Q8: Which of the following is the priority for laryngospasm?
A. Give oral fluids
B. Leave the patient
C. Do nothing
D. Provide positive pressure ventilation and oxygen [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Laryngospasm is managed with positive pressure ventilation and oxygen. The others are
improper.
Q9: Which of the following is a sign of bronchospasm?
A. Clear lungs
B. Normal breathing
C. No symptoms
D. Wheezing and increased work of breathing [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bronchospasm causes wheezing and increased work of breathing. The others are reassuring.
Q10: Which of the following is the priority for bronchospasm?
A. Give oral fluids
B. Administer a bronchodilator and oxygen as ordered [CORRECT]
C. Leave the patient
D. Do nothing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bronchospasm is managed with a bronchodilator and oxygen. The others are improper.
CPAN Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which of the following is TRUE about suctioning?
A. Preoxygenate and limit suction time to prevent hypoxia [CORRECT]
B. Suction without preoxygenation
C. Suction deeply and rapidly
D. Skip preoxygenation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Preoxygenation and limited suction time prevent hypoxia. The others are unsafe.
Q12: Which of the following is the maximum suction time for an adult?
A. About 10-15 seconds [CORRECT]
B. 30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. Unlimited
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Suction time is limited (about 10-15 seconds in adults). The others are too long.
Q13: Which of the following is TRUE about a nonrebreather mask?
A. It is set at 2 L/min
B. It needs no oxygen
C. It delivers low oxygen
D. It is set at 10-15 L/min to fill the reservoir and deliver high oxygen [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An NRB is set at 10-15 L/min to fill the reservoir. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about a nasal cannula?
A. It delivers low-flow oxygen (about 1-6 L/min) [CORRECT]
B. It delivers 100% oxygen
C. It is for high-flow oxygen
D. It delivers no oxygen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nasal cannula delivers low-flow oxygen (1-6 L/min). The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about capnography?
A. It measures oxygen
B. It measures blood pressure
C. It measures temperature
D. It measures exhaled carbon dioxide (EtCO2), reflecting ventilation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Capnography measures exhaled CO2 (EtCO2). The others are incorrect.
CPAN Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK (2026/2027 EDITION)
175 Questions (Reflecting the official CPAN exam, 3.5 hours) - Complete Test Bank
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This test bank is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American
Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC), ASPAN, or any other organization. It is provided for
educational and self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute for official certification materials,
standards, or professional guidance. Standards are subject to change; always consult current ABPANC and
ASPAN references.
, Section 1: Airway Management & Respiratory Care – Assessment,
Maintenance, Complications (30 questions)
Q1: Which of the following is the priority for a patient with an obstructed airway?
A. Provide oxygen
B. Document
C. Call the family
D. Open the airway and clear the obstruction [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Opening and clearing the airway is the priority. The others occur after airway management.
Q2: Which maneuver is used to open the airway when a spinal injury is suspected?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Neck hyperextension
C. Jaw-thrust [CORRECT]
D. None
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Jaw-thrust opens the airway without moving the neck. The others are incorrect.
Q3: Which maneuver is used to open the airway in a patient with no suspected spinal injury?
A. Jaw-thrust
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift [CORRECT]
C. Lateral recumbent
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Head-tilt/chin-lift opens the airway when no spinal injury is suspected. The others are incorrect.
Q4: Which of the following is TRUE about an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
A. It is used only in unconscious patients without a gag reflex [CORRECT]
B. It can be used in conscious patients
C. It is used in alert patients
D. It is optional
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An OPA is only for unconscious patients without a gag reflex. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is TRUE about a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
A. It is used when a gag reflex is present or the mouth cannot be opened [CORRECT]
B. It is used in conscious patients
C. It is optional
D. It is never used
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An NPA is used when a gag reflex is present or the mouth cannot be opened. The others are
incorrect.
CPAN Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which of the following is a sign of upper airway obstruction?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Stridor, hoarseness, or inability to speak [CORRECT]
C. Normal voice
D. Absent obstruction signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stridor, hoarseness, and difficulty speaking indicate upper airway obstruction. The others are
reassuring.
Q7: Which of the following is a sign of laryngospasm?
A. Clear lungs
B. Normal breathing
C. High-pitched inspiratory stridor with respiratory distress [CORRECT]
D. No symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Laryngospasm causes high-pitched stridor with respiratory distress. The others are reassuring.
Q8: Which of the following is the priority for laryngospasm?
A. Give oral fluids
B. Leave the patient
C. Do nothing
D. Provide positive pressure ventilation and oxygen [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Laryngospasm is managed with positive pressure ventilation and oxygen. The others are
improper.
Q9: Which of the following is a sign of bronchospasm?
A. Clear lungs
B. Normal breathing
C. No symptoms
D. Wheezing and increased work of breathing [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bronchospasm causes wheezing and increased work of breathing. The others are reassuring.
Q10: Which of the following is the priority for bronchospasm?
A. Give oral fluids
B. Administer a bronchodilator and oxygen as ordered [CORRECT]
C. Leave the patient
D. Do nothing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bronchospasm is managed with a bronchodilator and oxygen. The others are improper.
CPAN Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which of the following is TRUE about suctioning?
A. Preoxygenate and limit suction time to prevent hypoxia [CORRECT]
B. Suction without preoxygenation
C. Suction deeply and rapidly
D. Skip preoxygenation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Preoxygenation and limited suction time prevent hypoxia. The others are unsafe.
Q12: Which of the following is the maximum suction time for an adult?
A. About 10-15 seconds [CORRECT]
B. 30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. Unlimited
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Suction time is limited (about 10-15 seconds in adults). The others are too long.
Q13: Which of the following is TRUE about a nonrebreather mask?
A. It is set at 2 L/min
B. It needs no oxygen
C. It delivers low oxygen
D. It is set at 10-15 L/min to fill the reservoir and deliver high oxygen [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An NRB is set at 10-15 L/min to fill the reservoir. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about a nasal cannula?
A. It delivers low-flow oxygen (about 1-6 L/min) [CORRECT]
B. It delivers 100% oxygen
C. It is for high-flow oxygen
D. It delivers no oxygen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nasal cannula delivers low-flow oxygen (1-6 L/min). The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about capnography?
A. It measures oxygen
B. It measures blood pressure
C. It measures temperature
D. It measures exhaled carbon dioxide (EtCO2), reflecting ventilation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Capnography measures exhaled CO2 (EtCO2). The others are incorrect.
CPAN Exam Test Bank - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
