CPAN Exam Prep | Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
Study Guide with Authentic Exam Questions and
Expert Answers (Already Passed A+) 2026/2027
• Which is correct regarding post operative shivering?
A. Increased O2 consumption, increased ventilatory requirements
B. Decreased O2 consumption, increased ventilatory requirements
C. Minor mechanism of heat production, prolonged PACU Phase 1 time
D. Need for close monitoring for hypotension and diffuse muscle aches -✓✓A.
Increased O2 consumption, increased ventilatory requirements
• The perianesthesia nurse is aware that a main focus for pre admission assessment
is to:
A. Evaluate fitness for anesthesia and surgery
B. Reduce the mortality and morbidity rate
C. Establish the necessity of the procedure
D. Order laboratory and other diagnostic tests -✓✓B. Reduce the mortality and
morbidity rate
• To lessen vertigo, n/v immediately following tympanoplasty the perianesthesia
nurse would place the patient in which optimal position?
A. Semi fowlers @ 45 degrees
B. Lateral on the operated side
C. Position of comfort
D. Lateral on the unoperated side -✓✓D. Lateral on the unoperated side
• When caring for a diabetic patient, the major objective of the perianesthesia nurse
is to prevent:
A. Fluid volume excess
B. fluid volume deficit
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypoglycemia -✓✓D. Hypoglycemia
• A pt. is admitted to the PACU after receiving anesthesia. The pt. is tachypneic,
has muscle rigidity, tachycardia and dysrhythmia. The perianesthesia nurse
suspects:
A. neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. post operative hemorrhage
, C. hypoxic brain damage
D. malignant hyperthermia -✓✓D. malignant hyperthermia
• The pt. arrives in the PACU post stapedectomy, complaining vertigo. The
perianesthesia nurse notes that the pt.has packing retained within the ear. The
perianesthesia nurse:
A. does not disturb the packing
B. adviseds the pt to cough
C. advises the pt to blow nose
D. removes the packing -✓✓A. does not disturb the packing
• A 70 year old pt is admitted following moderate IV sedation with morphine and
midazolam. The pits unresponsive and the skin is cool and diaphoretic.VS are
95/60, 50, RR 8 and SpO2 88%on RA. Following O2 administration, no
improvement is noted. The nurse anticipates administering:
A. atropine 0.5mg to 1.0mg
B. naloxone 0.1mg to 0.2mg
C. naloxone 0.6mg to 2.0mg
D. atropine 1.5mg to 2.0mg -✓✓B. naloxone 0.1mg to 0.2mg
• Following a rhytidectomy, one of the earliest indications of complications is:
A. severe unilateral pain
B. ptosis with periorbital edema
C. a positive Chvostek's sign
D. discoloration of facial tissue -✓✓A. severe unilateral pain
• What risk factors woulda let the perianesthesia nurse of a patients decreased
chance of PONV?
A. Use of opioids, length of procedure
B. Female, non smoker, use of opioids
C. Male smoker, history of motion sickness
D. Female hypertension, history of PONV -✓✓B. Female, non smoker, use of
opioids
• When developing a plan of care for an autistic patient in the preoperative setting,
the best way for the nurse to communicate would be to :
A. avoid consistent eye contact
B. communicate only to the caregiver
C. communicate directly with detail
Study Guide with Authentic Exam Questions and
Expert Answers (Already Passed A+) 2026/2027
• Which is correct regarding post operative shivering?
A. Increased O2 consumption, increased ventilatory requirements
B. Decreased O2 consumption, increased ventilatory requirements
C. Minor mechanism of heat production, prolonged PACU Phase 1 time
D. Need for close monitoring for hypotension and diffuse muscle aches -✓✓A.
Increased O2 consumption, increased ventilatory requirements
• The perianesthesia nurse is aware that a main focus for pre admission assessment
is to:
A. Evaluate fitness for anesthesia and surgery
B. Reduce the mortality and morbidity rate
C. Establish the necessity of the procedure
D. Order laboratory and other diagnostic tests -✓✓B. Reduce the mortality and
morbidity rate
• To lessen vertigo, n/v immediately following tympanoplasty the perianesthesia
nurse would place the patient in which optimal position?
A. Semi fowlers @ 45 degrees
B. Lateral on the operated side
C. Position of comfort
D. Lateral on the unoperated side -✓✓D. Lateral on the unoperated side
• When caring for a diabetic patient, the major objective of the perianesthesia nurse
is to prevent:
A. Fluid volume excess
B. fluid volume deficit
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypoglycemia -✓✓D. Hypoglycemia
• A pt. is admitted to the PACU after receiving anesthesia. The pt. is tachypneic,
has muscle rigidity, tachycardia and dysrhythmia. The perianesthesia nurse
suspects:
A. neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. post operative hemorrhage
, C. hypoxic brain damage
D. malignant hyperthermia -✓✓D. malignant hyperthermia
• The pt. arrives in the PACU post stapedectomy, complaining vertigo. The
perianesthesia nurse notes that the pt.has packing retained within the ear. The
perianesthesia nurse:
A. does not disturb the packing
B. adviseds the pt to cough
C. advises the pt to blow nose
D. removes the packing -✓✓A. does not disturb the packing
• A 70 year old pt is admitted following moderate IV sedation with morphine and
midazolam. The pits unresponsive and the skin is cool and diaphoretic.VS are
95/60, 50, RR 8 and SpO2 88%on RA. Following O2 administration, no
improvement is noted. The nurse anticipates administering:
A. atropine 0.5mg to 1.0mg
B. naloxone 0.1mg to 0.2mg
C. naloxone 0.6mg to 2.0mg
D. atropine 1.5mg to 2.0mg -✓✓B. naloxone 0.1mg to 0.2mg
• Following a rhytidectomy, one of the earliest indications of complications is:
A. severe unilateral pain
B. ptosis with periorbital edema
C. a positive Chvostek's sign
D. discoloration of facial tissue -✓✓A. severe unilateral pain
• What risk factors woulda let the perianesthesia nurse of a patients decreased
chance of PONV?
A. Use of opioids, length of procedure
B. Female, non smoker, use of opioids
C. Male smoker, history of motion sickness
D. Female hypertension, history of PONV -✓✓B. Female, non smoker, use of
opioids
• When developing a plan of care for an autistic patient in the preoperative setting,
the best way for the nurse to communicate would be to :
A. avoid consistent eye contact
B. communicate only to the caregiver
C. communicate directly with detail
