CAPA TEST COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ A patient is admitted to the PACU following a laparoscopic Nissen
fundoplication. Intraoperatively, the patient required chest tube placement
for development of a tension pneumothorax. The perianesthesia nurse
understands that which of the following in the patient's history could be
problematic at this time?DiabetesCOPDOsteoporosisAngina.
Answer: COPD
◍ Glycopyrrolate.
Answer: - Induction and intubation medication- Can cause photosensitivity
◍ After receiving an interscalene block, the patient complains of shortness of
breath. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the block may have affected
which nerve?Transverse cervicalSupraclavicularPhrenicRecurrent laryngeal.
Answer: Phrenic
◍ While assisting an anesthesiologist performing a block for reflex
sympathetic dystrophy, the perianesthesia nurse observes that the affected
arm becomes warm to the touch and flushed. The patient reports a sensation
of heaviness in the arm. The perianesthesia nurse knows that this indicates
which of the following?Ineffective regional blockSevere allergic
reactionSuccessful therapeutic blockExtravasation of the medication.
Answer: Successful therapeutic block
◍ While caring for a patient after lumbar posterior nerve root rhizotomy, the
perianesthesia nurse notes the patient has no movement or sensation to the
lower extremities. The priority nursing action is to notify
the:anesthesiologist of muscle paralysis.operating room of the
, complications.surgeon of the absence of sensation.surgeon of lack of motor
ability..
Answer: surgeon of lack of motor ability.
◍ According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, care in
the post anesthesia Phase I focuses on:preparation of patient and family for
home care.preparation of patient for extended care.transition of the patient
from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an inpatient setting.transition of the
patient from the preoperative to the intraoperative phase..
Answer: transition of the patient from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an
inpatient setting.
◍ Craniotomy Treatment (triple H's).
Answer: - hemodilution- hypertension- hypervolemia(this forces constricted
blood vessels to dilate and perfuse tissue)
◍ Twenty minutes after admission to the PACU, a 24-year-old patient exhibits
a productive cough, dyspnea, and expectoration of pink, frothy sputum. In
report, the nurse is told that the patient experienced a post-extubation
laryngospasm in the O
R. The PACU nurse suspects that the patient has developed:a tracheal
hemorrhage.acute respiratory failure.noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.a
pulmonary embolism..
Answer: noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
◍ Transverse Colostomy.
Answer: soft stooltypical stool odor stool damages the skinempties several
times per daymay or may not be at risk for fluid/electrolytes imbalances
may irrigate
◍ sigmoid colostomy.
Answer: - formed stool
◍ The perianesthesia nurse is titrating pain medications for a postoperative
patient in Phase I PAC
U. Pain medication orders have changed from IV fentanyl to IV morphine.
, The perianesthesia nurse knows that an equivalent analgesic of fentanyl 0.1
mg is:methadone 20 mg.morphine 10 mg.butorphanol 10 mg.meperidine
125 mg..
Answer: Morphine 10mg
◍ ileosotomy.
Answer: - high up- liquid pasty stool
◍ The perianesthesia nurse caring for a 60-kg patient who is n.p.o. should
maintain IV fluid hourly maintenance rate at:45 mL/hr55 mL/hr65
mL/hr100 mL/hr.
Answer: 100 mL/hr
◍ Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Answer: Small pouch created from stomachPart of small intestine
(DUODENUM) bypassedRestriction and malabsorption
◍ A patient is admitted to the PACU with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in
place. The perianesthesia nurse understands that a properly placed
LMA:conforms to the hypopharynx.passes through the glottic
opening.prevents aspiration.prevents laryngospasm..
Answer: conforms to the hypopharynx.
◍ Post-op Stroke symptoms.
Answer: - double vision- headache- sudden dizziness
◍ Metoclopramide (Reglan).
Answer: - controls post-op NV- can have extrapyrmidal side effects like
tardive dyskinesia
◍ Gastrectomy Interventions.
Answer: - encourage deep breaths- and position shifts
◍ clonic seizure.
Answer: repetitive jerking movements
◍ petit mal seizure.
Answer: Also called absence attack. A seizure that is characterized by a
GUIDE 2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ A patient is admitted to the PACU following a laparoscopic Nissen
fundoplication. Intraoperatively, the patient required chest tube placement
for development of a tension pneumothorax. The perianesthesia nurse
understands that which of the following in the patient's history could be
problematic at this time?DiabetesCOPDOsteoporosisAngina.
Answer: COPD
◍ Glycopyrrolate.
Answer: - Induction and intubation medication- Can cause photosensitivity
◍ After receiving an interscalene block, the patient complains of shortness of
breath. The perianesthesia nurse is aware that the block may have affected
which nerve?Transverse cervicalSupraclavicularPhrenicRecurrent laryngeal.
Answer: Phrenic
◍ While assisting an anesthesiologist performing a block for reflex
sympathetic dystrophy, the perianesthesia nurse observes that the affected
arm becomes warm to the touch and flushed. The patient reports a sensation
of heaviness in the arm. The perianesthesia nurse knows that this indicates
which of the following?Ineffective regional blockSevere allergic
reactionSuccessful therapeutic blockExtravasation of the medication.
Answer: Successful therapeutic block
◍ While caring for a patient after lumbar posterior nerve root rhizotomy, the
perianesthesia nurse notes the patient has no movement or sensation to the
lower extremities. The priority nursing action is to notify
the:anesthesiologist of muscle paralysis.operating room of the
, complications.surgeon of the absence of sensation.surgeon of lack of motor
ability..
Answer: surgeon of lack of motor ability.
◍ According to ASPAN Standards of Perianesthesia Nursing Practice, care in
the post anesthesia Phase I focuses on:preparation of patient and family for
home care.preparation of patient for extended care.transition of the patient
from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an inpatient setting.transition of the
patient from the preoperative to the intraoperative phase..
Answer: transition of the patient from an anesthetized state to Phase II or an
inpatient setting.
◍ Craniotomy Treatment (triple H's).
Answer: - hemodilution- hypertension- hypervolemia(this forces constricted
blood vessels to dilate and perfuse tissue)
◍ Twenty minutes after admission to the PACU, a 24-year-old patient exhibits
a productive cough, dyspnea, and expectoration of pink, frothy sputum. In
report, the nurse is told that the patient experienced a post-extubation
laryngospasm in the O
R. The PACU nurse suspects that the patient has developed:a tracheal
hemorrhage.acute respiratory failure.noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.a
pulmonary embolism..
Answer: noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
◍ Transverse Colostomy.
Answer: soft stooltypical stool odor stool damages the skinempties several
times per daymay or may not be at risk for fluid/electrolytes imbalances
may irrigate
◍ sigmoid colostomy.
Answer: - formed stool
◍ The perianesthesia nurse is titrating pain medications for a postoperative
patient in Phase I PAC
U. Pain medication orders have changed from IV fentanyl to IV morphine.
, The perianesthesia nurse knows that an equivalent analgesic of fentanyl 0.1
mg is:methadone 20 mg.morphine 10 mg.butorphanol 10 mg.meperidine
125 mg..
Answer: Morphine 10mg
◍ ileosotomy.
Answer: - high up- liquid pasty stool
◍ The perianesthesia nurse caring for a 60-kg patient who is n.p.o. should
maintain IV fluid hourly maintenance rate at:45 mL/hr55 mL/hr65
mL/hr100 mL/hr.
Answer: 100 mL/hr
◍ Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Answer: Small pouch created from stomachPart of small intestine
(DUODENUM) bypassedRestriction and malabsorption
◍ A patient is admitted to the PACU with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in
place. The perianesthesia nurse understands that a properly placed
LMA:conforms to the hypopharynx.passes through the glottic
opening.prevents aspiration.prevents laryngospasm..
Answer: conforms to the hypopharynx.
◍ Post-op Stroke symptoms.
Answer: - double vision- headache- sudden dizziness
◍ Metoclopramide (Reglan).
Answer: - controls post-op NV- can have extrapyrmidal side effects like
tardive dyskinesia
◍ Gastrectomy Interventions.
Answer: - encourage deep breaths- and position shifts
◍ clonic seizure.
Answer: repetitive jerking movements
◍ petit mal seizure.
Answer: Also called absence attack. A seizure that is characterized by a
