CAPA Anxiety & Psychological Support Flashcards

Which statement by a preoperative patient MOST indicates the need for additional psychological support?

Answer: 'I feel very nervous and I have a bad feeling about this surgery.'

Expressions of dread or 'bad feelings' about surgery may indicate significant preoperative anxiety that warrants additional support and assessment.

The CAPA nurse uses motivational interviewing techniques primarily to:

Answer: Facilitate patient-centered conversations that support behavior change

Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered communication technique used to explore ambivalence and support patients in making positive health decisions.

Which strategy BEST promotes psychological safety for patients in the ambulatory PACU setting?

Answer: Maintaining consistent, respectful communication and preserving patient dignity

Consistent respectful communication and dignity-preserving care create a psychologically safe environment that reduces stress and builds patient trust.

A patient in PACU becomes hostile and verbally abusive. After ensuring safety, the nurse should:

Answer: Assess for physiologic causes such as hypoxia, hypoglycemia, or pain

Hostile behavior post-anesthesia is often physiologic — hypoxia, pain, or hypoglycemia can mimic psychiatric symptoms and must be ruled out first.

Which characteristic of ambulatory surgery makes psychological support particularly important?

Answer: Rapid discharge leaves little time to process the surgical experience

The fast-paced ambulatory environment means patients are discharged quickly, leaving limited time to address psychological concerns before they go home.

When a patient reports severe anxiety about a previously traumatic healthcare experience, the CAPA nurse's BEST approach is to:

Answer: Ask the patient to describe their past experience and incorporate preferences into their care plan

Acknowledging past trauma and incorporating patient preferences into care planning is central to trauma-informed, patient-centered perianesthesia nursing.