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CPAN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
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 Ans: 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 Ans: 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
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Severe allergic reaction
Successful therapeutic block
Extravasation of the medication Ans: 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. Ans: 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. Ans: 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.
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acute respiratory failure.
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
a pulmonary embolism. Ans: 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.
butorphanol 10 mg.
meperidine 125 mg. Ans: Morphine 10mg
The perianesthesia nurse caring for a 60-kg patient who is n.p.o. should
maintain IV fluid hourly maintenance rate at:
45 mL/hr
55 mL/hr
65 mL/hr
100 mL/hr Ans: 100 mL/hr
A patient is admitted to the PACU with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in
place. The perianesthesia nurse understands that a properly placed LMA:
conforms to the hypopharynx.
passes through the glottic opening.
prevents aspiration.
prevents laryngospasm. Ans: conforms to the hypopharynx.
CPAN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
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 Ans: 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 Ans: 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
, Page | 2
Severe allergic reaction
Successful therapeutic block
Extravasation of the medication Ans: 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. Ans: 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. Ans: 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.
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acute respiratory failure.
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
a pulmonary embolism. Ans: 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.
butorphanol 10 mg.
meperidine 125 mg. Ans: Morphine 10mg
The perianesthesia nurse caring for a 60-kg patient who is n.p.o. should
maintain IV fluid hourly maintenance rate at:
45 mL/hr
55 mL/hr
65 mL/hr
100 mL/hr Ans: 100 mL/hr
A patient is admitted to the PACU with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in
place. The perianesthesia nurse understands that a properly placed LMA:
conforms to the hypopharynx.
passes through the glottic opening.
prevents aspiration.
prevents laryngospasm. Ans: conforms to the hypopharynx.
