CAPA certification UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
acidemia - CORRECT ANSWER - lower than normal blood pH; increased hydrogen ions
Acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER - pH < 7.35; process that leads to an increase of
hydrogen ion concentration in the blood
adventitious breath sounds - CORRECT ANSWER - Abnormal breath sounds such as
wheezing, stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.
apnea - CORRECT ANSWER - absence of breathing
alkalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - blood pH > 7.45; decreased hydrogen ion
concentration
Alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER - process that leads to decreased hydrogen ions
concentration
Apneustic breathing - CORRECT ANSWER - Abnormal respiration marked by prolonged
inspiration interrupted by occasional expiration
atelectasis - CORRECT ANSWER - collapse of alveoli
bradypnea - CORRECT ANSWER - Slow breathing (less than 8/min)
bronchiectasis - CORRECT ANSWER - dilation of the bronchi
, bronchospasm - CORRECT ANSWER - constriction of bronchi caused by spasm of the
peribronchial smooth muscle
central sleep apnea - CORRECT ANSWER - sleep disorder with periods of interrupted
breathing due to a disruption in signals sent from the brain that regulate breathing
Cheyne-Stokes respiration - CORRECT ANSWER - a pattern of alternating periods of
hypopnea or apnea, followed by hyperpnea; associated with brain damage, heart or kidney
failure, or drug overdose
compliance (lung) - CORRECT ANSWER - a measure of distensibility of the lungs; the
amount of change in volume per change in pressure across the lung.
cyanosis - CORRECT ANSWER - a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor
circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood; more than 5g of hemogloblin/ deciliter of
arterial blood is deoxygenated.
Dyspnea - CORRECT ANSWER - shortness of breath
epistaxis - CORRECT ANSWER - nosebleed; usually in the Kiesselbach plexus or the
Little's area; can occur in PACU d/t trauma to the nasal veins from nasotracheal tubes or to nasal
airways during anesthesia.
Treating epistaxis - CORRECT ANSWER - prompt action to prevent aspiration; position
patient head up and flexed forward toward the chest; cold compresses to the bridge of the nose
and neck. If bleeding is profuse, then suction oral cavity and notify attending. Packing or cautery
with silver nitrate or electric current may be necessary.
hypercapnia - CORRECT ANSWER - excessive carbon dioxide (Paco2) in the
bloodstream , typically caused by inadequate respiration.
hyperoxemia - CORRECT ANSWER - increased oxygen (Pao2) in the blood
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
acidemia - CORRECT ANSWER - lower than normal blood pH; increased hydrogen ions
Acidosis - CORRECT ANSWER - pH < 7.35; process that leads to an increase of
hydrogen ion concentration in the blood
adventitious breath sounds - CORRECT ANSWER - Abnormal breath sounds such as
wheezing, stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.
apnea - CORRECT ANSWER - absence of breathing
alkalemia - CORRECT ANSWER - blood pH > 7.45; decreased hydrogen ion
concentration
Alkalosis - CORRECT ANSWER - process that leads to decreased hydrogen ions
concentration
Apneustic breathing - CORRECT ANSWER - Abnormal respiration marked by prolonged
inspiration interrupted by occasional expiration
atelectasis - CORRECT ANSWER - collapse of alveoli
bradypnea - CORRECT ANSWER - Slow breathing (less than 8/min)
bronchiectasis - CORRECT ANSWER - dilation of the bronchi
, bronchospasm - CORRECT ANSWER - constriction of bronchi caused by spasm of the
peribronchial smooth muscle
central sleep apnea - CORRECT ANSWER - sleep disorder with periods of interrupted
breathing due to a disruption in signals sent from the brain that regulate breathing
Cheyne-Stokes respiration - CORRECT ANSWER - a pattern of alternating periods of
hypopnea or apnea, followed by hyperpnea; associated with brain damage, heart or kidney
failure, or drug overdose
compliance (lung) - CORRECT ANSWER - a measure of distensibility of the lungs; the
amount of change in volume per change in pressure across the lung.
cyanosis - CORRECT ANSWER - a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor
circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood; more than 5g of hemogloblin/ deciliter of
arterial blood is deoxygenated.
Dyspnea - CORRECT ANSWER - shortness of breath
epistaxis - CORRECT ANSWER - nosebleed; usually in the Kiesselbach plexus or the
Little's area; can occur in PACU d/t trauma to the nasal veins from nasotracheal tubes or to nasal
airways during anesthesia.
Treating epistaxis - CORRECT ANSWER - prompt action to prevent aspiration; position
patient head up and flexed forward toward the chest; cold compresses to the bridge of the nose
and neck. If bleeding is profuse, then suction oral cavity and notify attending. Packing or cautery
with silver nitrate or electric current may be necessary.
hypercapnia - CORRECT ANSWER - excessive carbon dioxide (Paco2) in the
bloodstream , typically caused by inadequate respiration.
hyperoxemia - CORRECT ANSWER - increased oxygen (Pao2) in the blood
