CAPA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CAPA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which strategy BEST promotes psychological safety for patients in the ambulatory PACU setting? → Maintaining consistent, respectful communication and preserving patient dignity
2. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for discharge criteria & planning in CAPA practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
3. In the context of CAPA certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing pediatric perianesthesia nursing? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
4. A CAPA nurse notes a patient has jugular venous distension and bilateral crackles post-op. These findings are MOST consistent with: → Acute pulmonary edema
5. A patient develops urticaria, hypotension, and wheezing minutes after receiving IV antibiotics in the PACU. What is the FIRST-LINE treatment? → Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM into the anterolateral thigh
6. The CAPA nurse recognizes that a patient is exhibiting signs of acute anxiety. The MOST therapeutic initial response is: → Stay with the patient, use a calm voice, and acknowledge feelings
7. Which non-pharmacologic method can aid in pain control postoperatively? → Deep breathing exercises
8. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for regional anesthesia recovery care in CAPA practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
9. A patient in the PACU develops a new arrhythmia. The nurse's FIRST action should be to: → Assess the patient's hemodynamic status
10. In the context of CAPA certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing discharge criteria & planning? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
11. Which patient history finding requires further evaluation before surgery? → Recent myocardial infarction
12. In the context of CAPA certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing nausea & vomiting prevention? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
13. Which pediatric pain/anxiety assessment tool is appropriate for a school-age child in the PACU? → FACES Pain Scale-Revised
14. What is the primary focus in the immediate postanesthesia period? → Monitoring airway and vital signs
15. Which patient populations are at HIGHEST risk for emergence delirium in the PACU? → Elderly patients and young children
16. What is a common side effect of opioid administration? → Respiratory depression
17. A patient develops a sudden drop in SpO2 and BP with tachycardia after a lower extremity procedure. The nurse should suspect: → Pulmonary embolism
18. The CAPA nurse identifies a patient in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Priority assessment includes: → Hemodynamic stability and patient symptoms
19. In the context of CAPA certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing respiratory assessment & management? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
20. In a CAPA setting, which ECG change is MOST concerning for hypokalemia? → Flattened T waves and U waves
21. What is a priority when administering IV pain medications? → Observe response and side effects
22. The CAPA nurse uses motivational interviewing techniques primarily to: → Facilitate patient-centered conversations that support behavior change
23. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for phase i & phase ii recovery care in CAPA practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
24. Which intervention should the CAPA nurse prioritize for a patient with new-onset PVCs in the PACU? → Assess and correct underlying causes such as hypoxia or electrolyte imbalance
25. Which nursing action helps prevent hypothermia in the PACU? → Using warm blankets
26. Which statement by a preoperative patient MOST indicates the need for additional psychological support? → 'I feel very nervous and I have a bad feeling about this surgery.'
27. A patient in the PACU develops acute bronchospasm. What is the FIRST nursing action? → Apply supplemental oxygen and notify the anesthesia provider
28. The CAPA nurse suspects a patient has cardiac tamponade. Which triad of findings supports this suspicion? → Hypotension, muffled heart sounds, jugular venous distension
29. A patient recovering from ambulatory surgery is tearful and states they feel like something is wrong. The nurse should: → Thoroughly assess the patient for physiologic and psychological concerns
30. Which postoperative assessment finding best indicates adequate cardiac output? → Urine output ≥0.5 mL/kg/hr