CAPA Certification Exam And Answers
Acidemia - answer-lower than normal blood ph; increased hydrogen ions
Acidosis - answer-ph < 7.35; process that leads to an increase of hydrogen ion
concentration in the blood
Adam's apple - answer-The firm prominence in the upper part of the larynx formed
by the thyroid cartilage. It is more prominent in men than in women.
Adventitious breath sounds - answer-Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing,
stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.
Alkalemia - answer-blood ph > 7.45; decreased hydrogen ion concentration
Alkalosis - answer-process that leads to decreased hydrogen ions concentration
Apnea - answer-absence of breathing
Apneustic breathing - answer-Abnormal respiration marked by prolonged inspiration
interrupted by occasional expiration
Atelectasis - answer-collapse of alveoli
Bradypnea - answer-Slow breathing (less than 8/min)
Bronchiectasis - answer-dilation of the bronchi
Bronchospasm - answer-constriction of bronchi caused by spasm of the
peribronchial smooth muscle
Carina of trachea - answer-Area at the distal end of the trachea at the point of
bifurcation into the right and left main stem bronchi; the angle at the right main
stem is smaller than the left and if ETT is advanced too far will enter the right and
occlude the left- patient presents with decreased or absent breath sounds on left
side, tachycardia, and uneven expansion of chest; contains sensitive
pressoreceptors, which on stimulation from an endotrachial tube cause a patient to
cough or "buck".
Causes for decreased ERV - answer-after thoracic and upper abdominal surgeries
and morbidly obese
Causes for elevated RV - answer-skeletal muscle relaxants not properly reversed
cause an elevated RV b/c not enough muscle strength can be generated to force all
the air out of the lungs. More air remains in lungs= less gas exchange and dead air
space.
, Causes of decreased FRC - answer-pulmonary fibrosis and can be the sequela of
post op atelectasis.
Causes of increased FRC - answer-pulmonary distention (state of hyperinflation of
lungs) caused by airway obstruction (acute bronchial asthma) and loss of elasticity
(emphysema)
Central sleep apnea - answer-sleep disorder with periods of interrupted breathing
due to a disruption in signals sent from the brain that regulate breathing
Cheyne-Stokes respiration - answer-a pattern of alternating periods of hypopnea or
apnea, followed by hyperpnea; associated with brain damage, heart or kidney
failure, or drug overdose
Cilia - answer-moves mucus and foreign particles to the pharynx to be expectorated
or swallowed; dry gases from anesthesia can dry the mucous membrane and slow
the action of cilia
Complete Laryngospasm - answer-complete closure of vocal cords
Compliance (lung) - answer-a measure of distensibility of the lungs; the amount of
change in volume per change in pressure across the lung.
Cricoid cartilage - answer-the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of
the larynx; in children <12 yo this is the smallest opening to the bronchi of the
lungs
Cyanosis - 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.
Dead air space - answer-air that occupies the space between the mouth and alveoli
but that does not actually reach the area of gas exchange; impinges on VT and can
cause hypoxemia
Dyspnea - answer-shortness of breath
Epiglottis - answer-A leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing
to prevent foreign objects from entering the trachea; important landmark for
tracheal intubation
Epistaxis - 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.
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) - answer-Amount of air that can be forcefully
exhaled after a normal tidal volume exhalation; male 1240ml and female 730ml;
reflects muscle strength, thoracic mobility;
Acidemia - answer-lower than normal blood ph; increased hydrogen ions
Acidosis - answer-ph < 7.35; process that leads to an increase of hydrogen ion
concentration in the blood
Adam's apple - answer-The firm prominence in the upper part of the larynx formed
by the thyroid cartilage. It is more prominent in men than in women.
Adventitious breath sounds - answer-Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing,
stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.
Alkalemia - answer-blood ph > 7.45; decreased hydrogen ion concentration
Alkalosis - answer-process that leads to decreased hydrogen ions concentration
Apnea - answer-absence of breathing
Apneustic breathing - answer-Abnormal respiration marked by prolonged inspiration
interrupted by occasional expiration
Atelectasis - answer-collapse of alveoli
Bradypnea - answer-Slow breathing (less than 8/min)
Bronchiectasis - answer-dilation of the bronchi
Bronchospasm - answer-constriction of bronchi caused by spasm of the
peribronchial smooth muscle
Carina of trachea - answer-Area at the distal end of the trachea at the point of
bifurcation into the right and left main stem bronchi; the angle at the right main
stem is smaller than the left and if ETT is advanced too far will enter the right and
occlude the left- patient presents with decreased or absent breath sounds on left
side, tachycardia, and uneven expansion of chest; contains sensitive
pressoreceptors, which on stimulation from an endotrachial tube cause a patient to
cough or "buck".
Causes for decreased ERV - answer-after thoracic and upper abdominal surgeries
and morbidly obese
Causes for elevated RV - answer-skeletal muscle relaxants not properly reversed
cause an elevated RV b/c not enough muscle strength can be generated to force all
the air out of the lungs. More air remains in lungs= less gas exchange and dead air
space.
, Causes of decreased FRC - answer-pulmonary fibrosis and can be the sequela of
post op atelectasis.
Causes of increased FRC - answer-pulmonary distention (state of hyperinflation of
lungs) caused by airway obstruction (acute bronchial asthma) and loss of elasticity
(emphysema)
Central sleep apnea - answer-sleep disorder with periods of interrupted breathing
due to a disruption in signals sent from the brain that regulate breathing
Cheyne-Stokes respiration - answer-a pattern of alternating periods of hypopnea or
apnea, followed by hyperpnea; associated with brain damage, heart or kidney
failure, or drug overdose
Cilia - answer-moves mucus and foreign particles to the pharynx to be expectorated
or swallowed; dry gases from anesthesia can dry the mucous membrane and slow
the action of cilia
Complete Laryngospasm - answer-complete closure of vocal cords
Compliance (lung) - answer-a measure of distensibility of the lungs; the amount of
change in volume per change in pressure across the lung.
Cricoid cartilage - answer-the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of
the larynx; in children <12 yo this is the smallest opening to the bronchi of the
lungs
Cyanosis - 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.
Dead air space - answer-air that occupies the space between the mouth and alveoli
but that does not actually reach the area of gas exchange; impinges on VT and can
cause hypoxemia
Dyspnea - answer-shortness of breath
Epiglottis - answer-A leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing
to prevent foreign objects from entering the trachea; important landmark for
tracheal intubation
Epistaxis - 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.
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) - answer-Amount of air that can be forcefully
exhaled after a normal tidal volume exhalation; male 1240ml and female 730ml;
reflects muscle strength, thoracic mobility;
