CPAN Exam Prep | Certified Post
Anesthesia Nurse Study Guide &
Perianesthesia Practice Questions
Description: This comprehensive revision set contains 200 multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) designed for nurses preparing for the Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
(CPAN) exam. It covers perioperative assessment, anesthesia recovery, airway
management, hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacology, pain management,
postoperative complications, and patient safety. Each question includes the correct
answer marked with ✅ and a brief rationale.
Keywords: CPAN exam, post anesthesia nurse, perianesthesia nursing, PACU, recovery
room, ASPAN standards, anesthesia complications, airway management, hemodynamic
monitoring, pain management, patient safety, certification review.
Section 1: Perianesthesia Assessment and Monitoring
(Questions 1–40)
1. Which scoring system is most commonly used to determine readiness for
discharge from the PACU?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Aldrete Score ✅
C. APGAR Score
D. Braden Scale
2. What is the minimum Aldrete score typically required for PACU discharge?
A. 6
,B. 7
C. 8
D. 9 ✅
3. Which parameter is NOT part of the Aldrete scoring system?
A. Activity
B. Respiration
C. Blood pressure
D. Urine output ✅
4. A patient arrives in the PACU with a blood pressure of 88/52 mmHg. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Document and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Assess for signs of hypoperfusion and notify the anesthesia provider ✅
C. Administer a bolus of IV fluids without an order
D. Elevate the head of the bed
5. Which finding indicates adequate oxygenation in a postoperative patient?
A. SpO2 88% on room air
B. SpO2 94% on 2L nasal cannula ✅
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Cyanosis of the lips
6. What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm ✅
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–140 bpm
7. Which assessment is most important immediately upon PACU admission?
A. Pain score
B. Airway patency ✅
,C. Surgical site dressing
D. Family contact information
8. A patient's respiratory rate is 6 breaths/min with shallow effort. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Stimulate the patient and support ventilation ✅
C. Document the finding
D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
9. Which vital sign change is most concerning in the immediate postoperative
period?
A. Heart rate 92 bpm
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate 28/min and labored ✅
D. Temperature 37.2°C
10. The Modified Aldrete Score assesses which five categories?
A. Activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, oxygen saturation ✅
B. Pain, nausea, activity, respiration, circulation
C. Consciousness, urine output, pain, mobility, nutrition
D. Airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure
11. Which patient is at highest risk for postoperative respiratory depression?
A. Patient receiving regional anesthesia
B. Patient with obstructive sleep apnea receiving opioids ✅
C. Patient who received local anesthesia
D. Patient with hypertension
12. What is the recommended frequency of vital sign monitoring for a stable
patient in Phase I PACU?
A. Every 5 minutes
B. Every 15 minutes ✅
, C. Every 30 minutes
D. Every hour
13. Which phase of PACU care is considered the intensive care phase?
A. Phase I ✅
B. Phase II
C. Phase III
D. Extended care
14. A patient in Phase II PACU is being prepared for discharge. Which criterion
must be met?
A. Patient is asleep but arousable
B. Patient has stable vital signs and controlled pain ✅
C. Patient has a urinary catheter in place
D. Patient requires supplemental oxygen
15. Which assessment finding suggests malignant hyperthermia?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Masseter muscle rigidity and rising end-tidal CO2 ✅
C. Hypotension and hypoxemia
D. Decreased urine output
16. What is the first-line treatment for malignant hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene sodium ✅
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
17. Which medication reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Naloxone ✅
B. Flumazenil
C. Neostigmine
D. Glycopyrrolate
Anesthesia Nurse Study Guide &
Perianesthesia Practice Questions
Description: This comprehensive revision set contains 200 multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) designed for nurses preparing for the Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
(CPAN) exam. It covers perioperative assessment, anesthesia recovery, airway
management, hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacology, pain management,
postoperative complications, and patient safety. Each question includes the correct
answer marked with ✅ and a brief rationale.
Keywords: CPAN exam, post anesthesia nurse, perianesthesia nursing, PACU, recovery
room, ASPAN standards, anesthesia complications, airway management, hemodynamic
monitoring, pain management, patient safety, certification review.
Section 1: Perianesthesia Assessment and Monitoring
(Questions 1–40)
1. Which scoring system is most commonly used to determine readiness for
discharge from the PACU?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Aldrete Score ✅
C. APGAR Score
D. Braden Scale
2. What is the minimum Aldrete score typically required for PACU discharge?
A. 6
,B. 7
C. 8
D. 9 ✅
3. Which parameter is NOT part of the Aldrete scoring system?
A. Activity
B. Respiration
C. Blood pressure
D. Urine output ✅
4. A patient arrives in the PACU with a blood pressure of 88/52 mmHg. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Document and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Assess for signs of hypoperfusion and notify the anesthesia provider ✅
C. Administer a bolus of IV fluids without an order
D. Elevate the head of the bed
5. Which finding indicates adequate oxygenation in a postoperative patient?
A. SpO2 88% on room air
B. SpO2 94% on 2L nasal cannula ✅
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Cyanosis of the lips
6. What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm ✅
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–140 bpm
7. Which assessment is most important immediately upon PACU admission?
A. Pain score
B. Airway patency ✅
,C. Surgical site dressing
D. Family contact information
8. A patient's respiratory rate is 6 breaths/min with shallow effort. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Stimulate the patient and support ventilation ✅
C. Document the finding
D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
9. Which vital sign change is most concerning in the immediate postoperative
period?
A. Heart rate 92 bpm
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate 28/min and labored ✅
D. Temperature 37.2°C
10. The Modified Aldrete Score assesses which five categories?
A. Activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, oxygen saturation ✅
B. Pain, nausea, activity, respiration, circulation
C. Consciousness, urine output, pain, mobility, nutrition
D. Airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure
11. Which patient is at highest risk for postoperative respiratory depression?
A. Patient receiving regional anesthesia
B. Patient with obstructive sleep apnea receiving opioids ✅
C. Patient who received local anesthesia
D. Patient with hypertension
12. What is the recommended frequency of vital sign monitoring for a stable
patient in Phase I PACU?
A. Every 5 minutes
B. Every 15 minutes ✅
, C. Every 30 minutes
D. Every hour
13. Which phase of PACU care is considered the intensive care phase?
A. Phase I ✅
B. Phase II
C. Phase III
D. Extended care
14. A patient in Phase II PACU is being prepared for discharge. Which criterion
must be met?
A. Patient is asleep but arousable
B. Patient has stable vital signs and controlled pain ✅
C. Patient has a urinary catheter in place
D. Patient requires supplemental oxygen
15. Which assessment finding suggests malignant hyperthermia?
A. Hypothermia and bradycardia
B. Masseter muscle rigidity and rising end-tidal CO2 ✅
C. Hypotension and hypoxemia
D. Decreased urine output
16. What is the first-line treatment for malignant hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene sodium ✅
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
17. Which medication reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression?
A. Naloxone ✅
B. Flumazenil
C. Neostigmine
D. Glycopyrrolate
