CAPA Certification Exam – 2026/2027
CAPA CERTIFICATION EXAM
2026/2027 Edition
185 Questions | Get It Right | Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Graded A+
Certified Ambulatory PeriAnesthesia Nurse – ABPANC
Page 1 of 20
, CAPA Certification Exam – 2026/2027
Introduction
This CAPA Certification Exam format for 2026/2027 reflects the standardized assessment
administered by ABPANC to evaluate competency in ambulatory perianesthesia nursing practice.
Each CAPA certification examination consists of 185 questions with 140 scored multiple-choice
questions plus 45 unscored pretest questions.
Answer Format
All correct answers are presented in bold and green. Rationales are in italic font.
Page 2 of 20
, CAPA Certification Exam – 2026/2027
Perianesthesia Monitoring & Intervention
1. What is minimum standard monitoring during Phase I recovery per ASPAN?
A. Blood pressure only
B. Continuous pulse oximetry, ECG, intermittent BP, and respiratory assessment
C. Only pulse oximetry
D. Temperature only
Rationale: ASPAN standards require continuous pulse oximetry, ECG monitoring, intermittent
blood pressure, level of consciousness, and respiratory assessment during Phase I recovery.
2. What is significance of Modified Aldrete Scoring System in PACU?
A. It determines surgical charges
B. It objectively assesses patient readiness for discharge from Phase I recovery
C. It predicts mortality
D. It determines which nurse cares for the patient
Rationale: The Modified Aldrete Score assesses activity, respiration, circulation,
consciousness, and oxygen saturation to determine discharge readiness from Phase I recovery.
3. What is appropriate intervention for postoperative hypoxemia (SpO2 < 90%) in
PACU?
A. Continue monitoring without intervention
B. Increase oxygen delivery, assess airway, encourage deep breathing, prepare for
intubation if needed
C. Immediately extubate if intubated
D. Administer sedation
Rationale: Hypoxemia requires increasing oxygen delivery, assessing airway patency,
encouraging deep breathing, treating underlying causes, and preparing for intubation if severe.
4. What is appropriate response to stridor in PACU?
A. Wait for spontaneous resolution
B. Assess for airway obstruction, position appropriately, consider racemic
epinephrine
C. Administer more sedation
D. Immediately discharge the patient
Rationale: Stridor indicates upper airway obstruction requiring assessment, positioning,
oxygen supplementation, possible racemic epinephrine, and preparation for airway
intervention.
5. What is significance of monitoring end-tidal CO2 in PACU?
A. ETCO2 monitoring is only for operating room use
Page 3 of 20
CAPA CERTIFICATION EXAM
2026/2027 Edition
185 Questions | Get It Right | Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Graded A+
Certified Ambulatory PeriAnesthesia Nurse – ABPANC
Page 1 of 20
, CAPA Certification Exam – 2026/2027
Introduction
This CAPA Certification Exam format for 2026/2027 reflects the standardized assessment
administered by ABPANC to evaluate competency in ambulatory perianesthesia nursing practice.
Each CAPA certification examination consists of 185 questions with 140 scored multiple-choice
questions plus 45 unscored pretest questions.
Answer Format
All correct answers are presented in bold and green. Rationales are in italic font.
Page 2 of 20
, CAPA Certification Exam – 2026/2027
Perianesthesia Monitoring & Intervention
1. What is minimum standard monitoring during Phase I recovery per ASPAN?
A. Blood pressure only
B. Continuous pulse oximetry, ECG, intermittent BP, and respiratory assessment
C. Only pulse oximetry
D. Temperature only
Rationale: ASPAN standards require continuous pulse oximetry, ECG monitoring, intermittent
blood pressure, level of consciousness, and respiratory assessment during Phase I recovery.
2. What is significance of Modified Aldrete Scoring System in PACU?
A. It determines surgical charges
B. It objectively assesses patient readiness for discharge from Phase I recovery
C. It predicts mortality
D. It determines which nurse cares for the patient
Rationale: The Modified Aldrete Score assesses activity, respiration, circulation,
consciousness, and oxygen saturation to determine discharge readiness from Phase I recovery.
3. What is appropriate intervention for postoperative hypoxemia (SpO2 < 90%) in
PACU?
A. Continue monitoring without intervention
B. Increase oxygen delivery, assess airway, encourage deep breathing, prepare for
intubation if needed
C. Immediately extubate if intubated
D. Administer sedation
Rationale: Hypoxemia requires increasing oxygen delivery, assessing airway patency,
encouraging deep breathing, treating underlying causes, and preparing for intubation if severe.
4. What is appropriate response to stridor in PACU?
A. Wait for spontaneous resolution
B. Assess for airway obstruction, position appropriately, consider racemic
epinephrine
C. Administer more sedation
D. Immediately discharge the patient
Rationale: Stridor indicates upper airway obstruction requiring assessment, positioning,
oxygen supplementation, possible racemic epinephrine, and preparation for airway
intervention.
5. What is significance of monitoring end-tidal CO2 in PACU?
A. ETCO2 monitoring is only for operating room use
Page 3 of 20
