CAPA/CPAN REVIEW 2026/2027 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | 200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS |
PERIANESTHESIA NURSING, PHARMACOLOGY, PACU
CARE, ANESTHESIA, FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES | ASPAN
CERTIFICATION REVIEW
1. In patients with Parkinson's disease, difficulties with postoperative mobility can
be minimized by:
A. Using a lowered chair or toilet seat
B. Taking medications on schedule
C. Using hot and cold packs alternately on affected limbs
D. Avoiding medications with dopamine on the day of surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with Parkinson's disease must continue their anti-Parkinson
medications on schedule postoperatively to minimize mobility difficulties. Missing doses
can lead to significant functional impairment .
2. A perianesthesia nurse instructs a patient who routinely takes Ginkgo biloba to
discontinue this preoperatively because it could cause:
A. Potentiation of sedation
B. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
C. Exacerbation of immune system function
D. Postoperative bleeding
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ginkgo biloba can cause postoperative bleeding due to its antiplatelet
effects, and patients should be instructed to discontinue it before surgery .
3. What is the primary neurotransmitter affected by general anesthesia?
A. Dopamine
B. Acetylcholine
C. GABA
D. Serotonin
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter
affected by general anesthetics, enhancing inhibitory transmission in the central nervous
system .
4. Which stage of anesthesia is characterized by loss of consciousness and regular
respiration?
A. Stage I - Analgesia
B. Stage II - Excitement
C. Stage III - Surgical Anesthesia
D. Stage IV - Medullary Paralysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stage III is surgical anesthesia characterized by loss of consciousness, regular
respiration, and muscle relaxation suitable for surgery .
5. Which drug is contraindicated in a pregnant patient due to risk of premature
closure of the ductus arteriosus?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Famotidine
C. Ondansetron
D. Ketorolac
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause
premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in pregnant patients. It is contraindicated,
especially in the third trimester .
6. What is the mechanism of action of propofol?
A. Dopamine receptor antagonist
B. GABA-A receptor agonist
C. NMDA receptor antagonist
D. Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Propofol enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA by binding to the GABA-A
receptor, promoting chloride influx and neuronal inhibition .
,7. Which medication should be held preoperatively due to risk of serotonin
syndrome?
A. Metoprolol
B. Sertraline
C. Losartan
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when
combined with certain perioperative medications. Some protocols recommend holding
these agents, especially if combined with other serotonergic drugs .
8. Which of the following represents the highest body temperature indicative of
hypothermia?
A. 34.5°C (94.1°F)
B. 35.9°C (95.9°F)
C. 37.6°C (99.6°F)
D. 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature below 36°C (96.8°F). The
highest temperature indicative of hypothermia among these options is 35.9°C (95.9°F) .
9. What is the purpose of performing a preoperative pregnancy test for women of
childbearing age?
A. To ensure patient is not breastfeeding
B. To identify potential complications related to medications and radiation exposure
C. To reduce surgical time
D. To determine the need for additional medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preoperative pregnancy testing is performed to identify potential
complications related to medications, radiation exposure, and anesthesia effects on fetal
development .
10. Which benzodiazepine is most commonly used for preoperative sedation?
A. Lorazepam
B. Midazolam
, C. Diazepam
D. Clonazepam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Midazolam is most commonly used due to its rapid onset, short duration of
action, and amnestic properties .
11. What is the optimal time interval for discontinuing monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (MAOIs) prior to surgery?
A. 1-2 days
B. 2-3 days
C. 1-2 weeks
D. 3-4 weeks
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs should be discontinued 1-2 weeks prior to surgery to allow sufficient
time for the medication to be metabolized and to reduce the risk of hypertensive crisis .
12. What is the primary advantage of regional anesthesia compared to general
anesthesia?
A. Faster recovery from surgery
B. Decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting
C. Avoidance of airway instrumentation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Regional anesthesia offers multiple advantages including faster recovery,
decreased PONV, and avoidance of airway instrumentation .
13. A patient receiving spinal anesthesia develops hypotension. What is the most
appropriate initial intervention?
A. Increase IV fluids
B. Administer ephedrine
C. Trendelenburg position
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first-line treatment for hypotension from spinal anesthesia is IV fluid
administration. If hypotension persists, vasopressors may be administered .
AND ANSWERS | 200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS |
PERIANESTHESIA NURSING, PHARMACOLOGY, PACU
CARE, ANESTHESIA, FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES | ASPAN
CERTIFICATION REVIEW
1. In patients with Parkinson's disease, difficulties with postoperative mobility can
be minimized by:
A. Using a lowered chair or toilet seat
B. Taking medications on schedule
C. Using hot and cold packs alternately on affected limbs
D. Avoiding medications with dopamine on the day of surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with Parkinson's disease must continue their anti-Parkinson
medications on schedule postoperatively to minimize mobility difficulties. Missing doses
can lead to significant functional impairment .
2. A perianesthesia nurse instructs a patient who routinely takes Ginkgo biloba to
discontinue this preoperatively because it could cause:
A. Potentiation of sedation
B. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
C. Exacerbation of immune system function
D. Postoperative bleeding
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ginkgo biloba can cause postoperative bleeding due to its antiplatelet
effects, and patients should be instructed to discontinue it before surgery .
3. What is the primary neurotransmitter affected by general anesthesia?
A. Dopamine
B. Acetylcholine
C. GABA
D. Serotonin
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter
affected by general anesthetics, enhancing inhibitory transmission in the central nervous
system .
4. Which stage of anesthesia is characterized by loss of consciousness and regular
respiration?
A. Stage I - Analgesia
B. Stage II - Excitement
C. Stage III - Surgical Anesthesia
D. Stage IV - Medullary Paralysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stage III is surgical anesthesia characterized by loss of consciousness, regular
respiration, and muscle relaxation suitable for surgery .
5. Which drug is contraindicated in a pregnant patient due to risk of premature
closure of the ductus arteriosus?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Famotidine
C. Ondansetron
D. Ketorolac
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause
premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in pregnant patients. It is contraindicated,
especially in the third trimester .
6. What is the mechanism of action of propofol?
A. Dopamine receptor antagonist
B. GABA-A receptor agonist
C. NMDA receptor antagonist
D. Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Propofol enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA by binding to the GABA-A
receptor, promoting chloride influx and neuronal inhibition .
,7. Which medication should be held preoperatively due to risk of serotonin
syndrome?
A. Metoprolol
B. Sertraline
C. Losartan
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when
combined with certain perioperative medications. Some protocols recommend holding
these agents, especially if combined with other serotonergic drugs .
8. Which of the following represents the highest body temperature indicative of
hypothermia?
A. 34.5°C (94.1°F)
B. 35.9°C (95.9°F)
C. 37.6°C (99.6°F)
D. 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature below 36°C (96.8°F). The
highest temperature indicative of hypothermia among these options is 35.9°C (95.9°F) .
9. What is the purpose of performing a preoperative pregnancy test for women of
childbearing age?
A. To ensure patient is not breastfeeding
B. To identify potential complications related to medications and radiation exposure
C. To reduce surgical time
D. To determine the need for additional medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preoperative pregnancy testing is performed to identify potential
complications related to medications, radiation exposure, and anesthesia effects on fetal
development .
10. Which benzodiazepine is most commonly used for preoperative sedation?
A. Lorazepam
B. Midazolam
, C. Diazepam
D. Clonazepam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Midazolam is most commonly used due to its rapid onset, short duration of
action, and amnestic properties .
11. What is the optimal time interval for discontinuing monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (MAOIs) prior to surgery?
A. 1-2 days
B. 2-3 days
C. 1-2 weeks
D. 3-4 weeks
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs should be discontinued 1-2 weeks prior to surgery to allow sufficient
time for the medication to be metabolized and to reduce the risk of hypertensive crisis .
12. What is the primary advantage of regional anesthesia compared to general
anesthesia?
A. Faster recovery from surgery
B. Decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting
C. Avoidance of airway instrumentation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Regional anesthesia offers multiple advantages including faster recovery,
decreased PONV, and avoidance of airway instrumentation .
13. A patient receiving spinal anesthesia develops hypotension. What is the most
appropriate initial intervention?
A. Increase IV fluids
B. Administer ephedrine
C. Trendelenburg position
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first-line treatment for hypotension from spinal anesthesia is IV fluid
administration. If hypotension persists, vasopressors may be administered .
