CAPA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CAPA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
CAPA exam key facts
- The CAPA exam has 185 multiple-choice questions; 140 are scored and 45 are unscored pretest questions. Source
- Candidates have three hours to complete the CAPA exam, plus a 15-minute tutorial that does not count against testing time. Source
- Passing the CAPA exam requires a scaled score of 450 on a 200–800 scale. Source
- The CAPA certification exam costs $424 at the regular rate, or $350 for current ASPAN members. Source
- A candidate who fails the CAPA exam can reapply in the next registration window, and ABPANC does not limit the number of retakes. Source
- CAPA certification is valid for three years. Source
📋 CAPA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CAPA Topics to Study (23)
✍️ Sample CAPA Questions & Answers
1. What is the most effective way to measure success in nausea & vomiting prevention within CAPA professional practice?
Effective measurement combines multiple data sources — quantitative metrics, qualitative assessments, and stakeholder feedback — all aligned with clearly defined objectives for a comprehensive evaluation.
2. How should CAPA professionals handle confidential information related to evidence-based practice in pacu?
Confidential information must be handled according to established protocols, regulatory requirements, and professional ethics standards, including proper access control and disclosure procedures.
3. The CAPA nurse uses motivational interviewing techniques primarily to:
Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered communication technique used to explore ambivalence and support patients in making positive health decisions.
4. How should CAPA professionals handle confidential information related to regional anesthesia recovery care?
Confidential information must be handled according to established protocols, regulatory requirements, and professional ethics standards, including proper access control and disclosure procedures.
5. What is the first action if a patient develops low oxygen saturation?
Repositioning the airway can quickly improve oxygenation before advancing to further interventions.
6. Which of the following increases a patient's fall risk after anesthesia?
Residual effects of sedatives and opioids impair coordination and increase fall risk.
🎯 Free CAPA Practice Tests
📖 CAPA Guides & Articles
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for CAPA
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length CAPA mock exam — 185 questions in 180 minutes with a 65% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
- A fixed CAPA question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable CAPA cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- CAPA flashcards built from the same question bank.
- Free CAPA practice tests with the correct answer shown after each question.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- cpancapa.org — Fees, registration, test dates, retake fee, exam information · verified Nov 2026
- abpanc.org — Score validity, eligibility, test delivery, exam format, retake policy, passing score, score release, time limit · verified Oct 2026