CAPA Practice Exam Questions and Answers
(Updated Version) 2026-2027
The Ultimate Certification Preparation Guide for
Perianesthesia Nurses
_________________________________________________________________
A patient is admitted to the PACU following a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
Intraoperatively, the patient required chest tube placement for development of a
tension pneumothorax. The perianesthesia nurse understands that which of the
following in the patient's history could be problematic at this time?
Diabetes
COPD
Osteoporosis
Angina - answer--COPD
After receiving an interscalene block, the patient complains of shortness of breath.
The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the block may have affected which nerve?
Transverse cervical
Supraclavicular
Phrenic
Recurrent laryngeal - answer--Phrenic
While assisting an anesthesiologist performing a block for reflex sympathetic
dystrophy, the perianesthesia nurse observes that the affected arm becomes warm to
the touch and flushed. The patient reports a sensation of heaviness in the arm. The
perianesthesia nurse knows that this indicates which of the following?
Ineffective regional block
Severe allergic reaction
Successful therapeutic block
Extravasation of the medication - answer--Successful therapeutic block
While caring for a patient after lumbar posterior nerve root rhizotomy, the
perianesthesia nurse notes the patient has no movement or sensation to the lower
extremities. The priority nursing action is to notify the:
anesthesiologist of muscle paralysis.
operating room of the complications.
,surgeon of the absence of sensation.
surgeon of lack of motor ability. - answer--surgeon of lack of motor ability.
According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, care in the post
anesthesia Phase I focuses on:
preparation of patient and family for home care.
preparation of patient for extended care.
transition of the patient from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an inpatient setting.
transition of the patient from the preoperative to the intraoperative phase. - answer-
-transition of the patient from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an inpatient
setting.
Twenty minutes after admission to the PACU, a 24-year-old patient exhibits a
productive cough, dyspnea, and expectoration of pink, frothy sputum. In report, the
nurse is told that the patient experienced a post-extubation laryngospasm in the OR.
The PACU nurse suspects that the patient has developed:
a tracheal hemorrhage.
acute respiratory failure.
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
a pulmonary embolism. - answer--noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
The perianesthesia nurse is titrating pain medications for a postoperative patient in
Phase I PACU. Pain medication orders have changed from IV fentanyl to IV morphine.
The perianesthesia nurse knows that an equivalent analgesic of fentanyl 0.1 mg is:
methadone 20 mg.
morphine 10 mg.
hydromorphone 2 mg.
meperidine 100 mg. - answer--morphine 10 mg.
A patient is admitted to the PACU with a diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia. Which
of the following medications should the perianesthesia nurse anticipate
administering?
Dantrolene sodium
Succinylcholine
Neostigmine
Atropine sulfate - answer--Dantrolene sodium
A patient arrives in the PACU following a tonsillectomy. The patient is sleepy but
arousable. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for this patient?
Supine with head elevated
Prone
Side-lying
Trendelenburg - answer--Side-lying
,The perianesthesia nurse is assessing a patient who received a spinal anesthetic. The
patient reports a severe headache that worsens when sitting up and improves when
lying flat. The nurse suspects:
meningitis.
spinal headache.
epidural hematoma.
local anesthetic toxicity. - answer--spinal headache.
Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing
emergence delirium in the PACU?
Restrain the patient immediately.
Ensure patient safety and reduce environmental stimulation.
Administer a benzodiazepine without an order.
Leave the patient alone to calm down. - answer--Ensure patient safety and reduce
environmental stimulation.
A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of sleep apnea. Which of the
following is a priority postoperative concern for this patient?
Hypertension
Airway obstruction
Hyperthermia
Hyperglycemia - answer--Airway obstruction
The perianesthesia nurse is preparing to discharge a patient to Phase II PACU. Which
of the following assessment findings requires immediate intervention?
Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
Heart rate 88 beats/min
Oxygen saturation 89% on room air
Pain level 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 - answer--Oxygen saturation 89% on room air
During a preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to latex. Which of the
following items should the nurse ensure is removed from the OR and PACU
environment?
Plastic IV tubing
Latex gloves and tourniquets
Glass medication vials
Silk suture material - answer--Latex gloves and tourniquets
A patient is recovering from general anesthesia. Which of the following assessments
is most important for the nurse to perform initially?
Assess the surgical site.
Assess the level of consciousness.
Assess the airway and breathing.
Assess the urine output. - answer--Assess the airway and breathing.
, The perianesthesia nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a patient scheduled for
surgery. Which of the following values should be reported to the provider
immediately?
Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Platelets 250,000/mm3
Blood glucose 120 mg/dL - answer--Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
A patient is experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the PACU.
Which of the following medications should the perianesthesia nurse anticipate
administering?
Ondansetron
Meperidine
Ketorolac
Midazolam - answer--Ondansetron
The perianesthesia nurse is caring for a patient who has just received a local
anesthetic. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following signs of
local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)?
Bradycardia and hypotension
Tinnitus and metallic taste
Hypertension and tachycardia
Hyperthermia and rigidity - answer--Tinnitus and metallic taste
A patient is admitted to the PACU following a total knee arthroplasty. The patient has
a femoral nerve block in place. Which of the following assessments is most important
for the nurse to perform?
Assess for paresthesia in the unaffected leg.
Assess the knee for signs of infection.
Assess the surgical site for bleeding.
Assess for motor and sensory function in the affected leg. - answer--Assess for motor
and sensory function in the affected leg.
According to ASPAN standards, which of the following patients is appropriate for
discharge from Phase I PACU?
A patient who is awake, alert, and has stable vital signs.
A patient who is drowsy but has stable vital signs.
A patient who requires frequent suctioning.
A patient who is still intubated. - answer--A patient who is awake, alert, and has
stable vital signs.
A patient is admitted to the PACU following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The
patient's respiratory rate is 8 breaths per minute, and the oxygen saturation is 89%
(Updated Version) 2026-2027
The Ultimate Certification Preparation Guide for
Perianesthesia Nurses
_________________________________________________________________
A patient is admitted to the PACU following a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
Intraoperatively, the patient required chest tube placement for development of a
tension pneumothorax. The perianesthesia nurse understands that which of the
following in the patient's history could be problematic at this time?
Diabetes
COPD
Osteoporosis
Angina - answer--COPD
After receiving an interscalene block, the patient complains of shortness of breath.
The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the block may have affected which nerve?
Transverse cervical
Supraclavicular
Phrenic
Recurrent laryngeal - answer--Phrenic
While assisting an anesthesiologist performing a block for reflex sympathetic
dystrophy, the perianesthesia nurse observes that the affected arm becomes warm to
the touch and flushed. The patient reports a sensation of heaviness in the arm. The
perianesthesia nurse knows that this indicates which of the following?
Ineffective regional block
Severe allergic reaction
Successful therapeutic block
Extravasation of the medication - answer--Successful therapeutic block
While caring for a patient after lumbar posterior nerve root rhizotomy, the
perianesthesia nurse notes the patient has no movement or sensation to the lower
extremities. The priority nursing action is to notify the:
anesthesiologist of muscle paralysis.
operating room of the complications.
,surgeon of the absence of sensation.
surgeon of lack of motor ability. - answer--surgeon of lack of motor ability.
According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, care in the post
anesthesia Phase I focuses on:
preparation of patient and family for home care.
preparation of patient for extended care.
transition of the patient from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an inpatient setting.
transition of the patient from the preoperative to the intraoperative phase. - answer-
-transition of the patient from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an inpatient
setting.
Twenty minutes after admission to the PACU, a 24-year-old patient exhibits a
productive cough, dyspnea, and expectoration of pink, frothy sputum. In report, the
nurse is told that the patient experienced a post-extubation laryngospasm in the OR.
The PACU nurse suspects that the patient has developed:
a tracheal hemorrhage.
acute respiratory failure.
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
a pulmonary embolism. - answer--noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
The perianesthesia nurse is titrating pain medications for a postoperative patient in
Phase I PACU. Pain medication orders have changed from IV fentanyl to IV morphine.
The perianesthesia nurse knows that an equivalent analgesic of fentanyl 0.1 mg is:
methadone 20 mg.
morphine 10 mg.
hydromorphone 2 mg.
meperidine 100 mg. - answer--morphine 10 mg.
A patient is admitted to the PACU with a diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia. Which
of the following medications should the perianesthesia nurse anticipate
administering?
Dantrolene sodium
Succinylcholine
Neostigmine
Atropine sulfate - answer--Dantrolene sodium
A patient arrives in the PACU following a tonsillectomy. The patient is sleepy but
arousable. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for this patient?
Supine with head elevated
Prone
Side-lying
Trendelenburg - answer--Side-lying
,The perianesthesia nurse is assessing a patient who received a spinal anesthetic. The
patient reports a severe headache that worsens when sitting up and improves when
lying flat. The nurse suspects:
meningitis.
spinal headache.
epidural hematoma.
local anesthetic toxicity. - answer--spinal headache.
Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing
emergence delirium in the PACU?
Restrain the patient immediately.
Ensure patient safety and reduce environmental stimulation.
Administer a benzodiazepine without an order.
Leave the patient alone to calm down. - answer--Ensure patient safety and reduce
environmental stimulation.
A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of sleep apnea. Which of the
following is a priority postoperative concern for this patient?
Hypertension
Airway obstruction
Hyperthermia
Hyperglycemia - answer--Airway obstruction
The perianesthesia nurse is preparing to discharge a patient to Phase II PACU. Which
of the following assessment findings requires immediate intervention?
Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
Heart rate 88 beats/min
Oxygen saturation 89% on room air
Pain level 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 - answer--Oxygen saturation 89% on room air
During a preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to latex. Which of the
following items should the nurse ensure is removed from the OR and PACU
environment?
Plastic IV tubing
Latex gloves and tourniquets
Glass medication vials
Silk suture material - answer--Latex gloves and tourniquets
A patient is recovering from general anesthesia. Which of the following assessments
is most important for the nurse to perform initially?
Assess the surgical site.
Assess the level of consciousness.
Assess the airway and breathing.
Assess the urine output. - answer--Assess the airway and breathing.
, The perianesthesia nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a patient scheduled for
surgery. Which of the following values should be reported to the provider
immediately?
Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Platelets 250,000/mm3
Blood glucose 120 mg/dL - answer--Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
A patient is experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the PACU.
Which of the following medications should the perianesthesia nurse anticipate
administering?
Ondansetron
Meperidine
Ketorolac
Midazolam - answer--Ondansetron
The perianesthesia nurse is caring for a patient who has just received a local
anesthetic. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following signs of
local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)?
Bradycardia and hypotension
Tinnitus and metallic taste
Hypertension and tachycardia
Hyperthermia and rigidity - answer--Tinnitus and metallic taste
A patient is admitted to the PACU following a total knee arthroplasty. The patient has
a femoral nerve block in place. Which of the following assessments is most important
for the nurse to perform?
Assess for paresthesia in the unaffected leg.
Assess the knee for signs of infection.
Assess the surgical site for bleeding.
Assess for motor and sensory function in the affected leg. - answer--Assess for motor
and sensory function in the affected leg.
According to ASPAN standards, which of the following patients is appropriate for
discharge from Phase I PACU?
A patient who is awake, alert, and has stable vital signs.
A patient who is drowsy but has stable vital signs.
A patient who requires frequent suctioning.
A patient who is still intubated. - answer--A patient who is awake, alert, and has
stable vital signs.
A patient is admitted to the PACU following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The
patient's respiratory rate is 8 breaths per minute, and the oxygen saturation is 89%
