CPAN EXAM TEST BANK CERTIFIED POST ANESTHESIA NURSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
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?
Diabetes
COPD
Osteoporosis
Angina - (ANSWER)COPD
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 cervical
Supraclavicular
Phrenic
Recurrent 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 block
Severe allergic reaction
Successful therapeutic block
Extravasation 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.
,CPAN EXAM TEST BANK CERTIFIED POST ANESTHESIA NURSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
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.
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 OR. 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.
The perianesthesia nurse is titrating pain medications for a postoperative patient in Phase I PACU. 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
The perianesthesia nurse caring for a 60-kg patient who is n.p.o. should maintain IV fluid hourly
maintenance rate at:
45 mL/hr
, CPAN EXAM TEST BANK CERTIFIED POST ANESTHESIA NURSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
55 mL/hr
65 mL/hr
100 mL/hr - (ANSWER)100 mL/hr
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.
In postoperative patients with a history of end-stage renal disease, the administration of IV glucose and
regular insulin is used to correct the complication of:
hyponatremia.
hypokalemia.
hypernatremia.
hyperkalemia. - (ANSWER)Hyperkalemia
The perianesthesia nurse would be immediately concerned when a postoperative cataract patient
awaiting discharge complains of:
irritation or "something in my eye".
sudden onset of sharp ocular pain.
dizziness and tinnitus.
blurred vision and headache. - (ANSWER)sudden onset of sharp ocular pain.
An 80-year-old patient who is hearing-impaired is being discharged home following cataract removal. In
planning the discharge, the perianesthesia nurse should:
avoid low lighting and noisy teaching environments.
ANSWERS 2025
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?
Diabetes
COPD
Osteoporosis
Angina - (ANSWER)COPD
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 cervical
Supraclavicular
Phrenic
Recurrent 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 block
Severe allergic reaction
Successful therapeutic block
Extravasation 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.
,CPAN EXAM TEST BANK CERTIFIED POST ANESTHESIA NURSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
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.
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 OR. 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.
The perianesthesia nurse is titrating pain medications for a postoperative patient in Phase I PACU. 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
The perianesthesia nurse caring for a 60-kg patient who is n.p.o. should maintain IV fluid hourly
maintenance rate at:
45 mL/hr
, CPAN EXAM TEST BANK CERTIFIED POST ANESTHESIA NURSE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
55 mL/hr
65 mL/hr
100 mL/hr - (ANSWER)100 mL/hr
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.
In postoperative patients with a history of end-stage renal disease, the administration of IV glucose and
regular insulin is used to correct the complication of:
hyponatremia.
hypokalemia.
hypernatremia.
hyperkalemia. - (ANSWER)Hyperkalemia
The perianesthesia nurse would be immediately concerned when a postoperative cataract patient
awaiting discharge complains of:
irritation or "something in my eye".
sudden onset of sharp ocular pain.
dizziness and tinnitus.
blurred vision and headache. - (ANSWER)sudden onset of sharp ocular pain.
An 80-year-old patient who is hearing-impaired is being discharged home following cataract removal. In
planning the discharge, the perianesthesia nurse should:
avoid low lighting and noisy teaching environments.
