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 Format at a Glance
📚 CAPA Topics to Study (69)
✍️ Sample CAPA Questions & Answers
1. Which patient factor is a CONTRAINDICATION to performing a peripheral nerve block in the ambulatory surgery setting?
Patient refusal is an absolute contraindication to any regional anesthesia procedure regardless of its clinical benefits.
2. Which LOCAL anesthetic is SAFEST to use for a digital ring block, and why?
Epinephrine causes vasospasm in end-arterial digital circulation and should be avoided; plain lidocaine provides effective anesthesia without ischemia risk.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. What is the minimum urine output considered acceptable before discharging a patient home from Phase II PACU?
Current evidence-based guidelines do not mandate voiding as a universal discharge criterion unless the patient had spinal anesthesia or a procedure with high urinary retention risk.
6. Under which circumstance may a patient be discharged without voiding after ambulatory surgery?
Current guidelines allow discharge without voiding when regional/neuraxial anesthesia was not used, the procedure was not pelvic/urological, and fluid intake was minimal.