CAPA Anxiety & Psychological Support Flashcards

Which nursing intervention is MOST effective in reducing preoperative and emergence anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients?

Answer: Providing clear, honest information and allowing questions

Patient education and open communication are evidence-based interventions that significantly reduce perioperative anxiety.

A patient in the PACU is agitated and confused upon emergence. The nurse's FIRST priority is to:

Answer: Ensure patient safety and assess for physiologic causes

Emergence delirium can result from physiologic causes like hypoxia or pain, which must be ruled out before other interventions.

Which factor is MOST likely to contribute to postoperative psychological distress in ambulatory surgery patients?

Answer: Lack of preoperative teaching

Inadequate preoperative teaching leaves patients unprepared for what to expect, increasing anxiety and psychological distress post-op.

The CAPA nurse recognizes that a patient is exhibiting signs of acute anxiety. The MOST therapeutic initial response is:

Answer: Stay with the patient, use a calm voice, and acknowledge feelings

Therapeutic presence — staying with the patient and using a calm, empathetic approach — is the foundation of managing acute anxiety.

Which pediatric pain/anxiety assessment tool is appropriate for a school-age child in the PACU?

Answer: FACES Pain Scale-Revised

The FACES Pain Scale-Revised is validated for children ages 4-12 and allows self-report of pain and distress levels.

The CAPA nurse is caring for a patient with a history of PTSD undergoing ambulatory surgery. Which approach is MOST important?

Answer: Coordinate with the care team to use trauma-informed care principles

Trauma-informed care — including safety, trust, and choice — minimizes retraumatization and supports psychological safety in the perioperative setting.