CAPA PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias - ANSWER-A patient with a history of drug abuse and nasal
ulcers is received in the PACU. The perianesthesia nurse monitors this patient closely
for:
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
B. Apnea
C. Postural hypotension
D. Somnolence
D. Delay instructions until a certified interpreter can be located - ANSWER-A Spanish-
speaking patient arrives for a pre-operative admission interview accompanied by a
bilingual companion. The patient understands English but speaks only Spanish. What
action should the perianesthesia nurse take regarding the preoperative NPO
instructions?
A. Request that the friend interpret the written instructions
B. Provide written instructions in spanish
C. Determine the friend's ability to understand instructions
D. Delay instructions until a certified interpreter can be located
A. Keeping the operative arm elevated for several days - ANSWER-The perianesthesia
nurse is aware that discharge instructions for a patient with an arteriovenous shunt
include:
A. Keeping the operative arm elevated for several days
B. Checking blood pressure in the operative arm
C. Keeping the operative arm dependent for several days
D. Maintaining a pressure dressing over the site
B. 35.9C (95.9) - ANSWER-The perianesthesia nurse is aware that which of the
following is the highest body temperature indicative of hypothermia?
A. 34.5C (94.1F)
B. 35.9C (95.9)
C. 37.6 (99.6)
D. 38.5 (101.3)
C. Urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 1 - ANSWER-Which of the following
measures has been shown to decrease surgical complications?
A. Shaving the surgical site 24 hours before surgery
, B. Prophylactic antibiotics continued for 48 hours
C. Urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 1
D. Preoperative antiseptic showers with chlorhexidine
A. Racemic epinephrine administration - ANSWER-A patient extubated 10 minutes post
PACU admission is exhibiting croup cough and hoarseness. After 5 minutes of
continued observation and administration of O2 with 40% mist, the patient's respiratory
status has not changed. Which treatment can the nurse initially expect to implement?
A. Racemic epinephrine administration
B. Chest physiotherapy
C. Suctioning
D. Administration of corticosteroid
C. Pink urine - ANSWER-The perianesthesia nurse is aware that discharge instructions
for a patient post-ureteral-stent insertion should include preparing the patient to expect:
A. Mucuos plugs
B. Bladder distention
C. Pink urine
D. Groin pain
D. The patient actively participates - ANSWER-The perianesthesia nurse is aware that
the use of mental images for stress and pain reduction is most effective when:
A. A family member is present
B. The nurse describes scenarios
C. The patient has a history of chronic pain
D. The patient actively participates
C. A 30 year old undergoing an emergency surgery for a compound fracture -
ANSWER-Which of the following patients is most likely to experience awareness under
anesthesia?
A. A 5 year old undergoing a tonsillectomy
B. A 15 year old undergoing a scheduled arthroscopic knee procedure
C. A 30 year old undergoing an emergency surgery for a compound fracture
D. A 70 year old undergoing a colectomy for colon cancer
A. Amiodarone - ANSWER-During administration of bupivicaine locally, some of the
medication is accidentally administered IV. When the patient develops ventricular
arrhythmias, the perianesthesia nurse anticipates the administration of:
A. Amiodarone
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Adenosine
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias - ANSWER-A patient with a history of drug abuse and nasal
ulcers is received in the PACU. The perianesthesia nurse monitors this patient closely
for:
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
B. Apnea
C. Postural hypotension
D. Somnolence
D. Delay instructions until a certified interpreter can be located - ANSWER-A Spanish-
speaking patient arrives for a pre-operative admission interview accompanied by a
bilingual companion. The patient understands English but speaks only Spanish. What
action should the perianesthesia nurse take regarding the preoperative NPO
instructions?
A. Request that the friend interpret the written instructions
B. Provide written instructions in spanish
C. Determine the friend's ability to understand instructions
D. Delay instructions until a certified interpreter can be located
A. Keeping the operative arm elevated for several days - ANSWER-The perianesthesia
nurse is aware that discharge instructions for a patient with an arteriovenous shunt
include:
A. Keeping the operative arm elevated for several days
B. Checking blood pressure in the operative arm
C. Keeping the operative arm dependent for several days
D. Maintaining a pressure dressing over the site
B. 35.9C (95.9) - ANSWER-The perianesthesia nurse is aware that which of the
following is the highest body temperature indicative of hypothermia?
A. 34.5C (94.1F)
B. 35.9C (95.9)
C. 37.6 (99.6)
D. 38.5 (101.3)
C. Urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 1 - ANSWER-Which of the following
measures has been shown to decrease surgical complications?
A. Shaving the surgical site 24 hours before surgery
, B. Prophylactic antibiotics continued for 48 hours
C. Urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 1
D. Preoperative antiseptic showers with chlorhexidine
A. Racemic epinephrine administration - ANSWER-A patient extubated 10 minutes post
PACU admission is exhibiting croup cough and hoarseness. After 5 minutes of
continued observation and administration of O2 with 40% mist, the patient's respiratory
status has not changed. Which treatment can the nurse initially expect to implement?
A. Racemic epinephrine administration
B. Chest physiotherapy
C. Suctioning
D. Administration of corticosteroid
C. Pink urine - ANSWER-The perianesthesia nurse is aware that discharge instructions
for a patient post-ureteral-stent insertion should include preparing the patient to expect:
A. Mucuos plugs
B. Bladder distention
C. Pink urine
D. Groin pain
D. The patient actively participates - ANSWER-The perianesthesia nurse is aware that
the use of mental images for stress and pain reduction is most effective when:
A. A family member is present
B. The nurse describes scenarios
C. The patient has a history of chronic pain
D. The patient actively participates
C. A 30 year old undergoing an emergency surgery for a compound fracture -
ANSWER-Which of the following patients is most likely to experience awareness under
anesthesia?
A. A 5 year old undergoing a tonsillectomy
B. A 15 year old undergoing a scheduled arthroscopic knee procedure
C. A 30 year old undergoing an emergency surgery for a compound fracture
D. A 70 year old undergoing a colectomy for colon cancer
A. Amiodarone - ANSWER-During administration of bupivicaine locally, some of the
medication is accidentally administered IV. When the patient develops ventricular
arrhythmias, the perianesthesia nurse anticipates the administration of:
A. Amiodarone
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Adenosine
