100+ Free CAP Practice Questions

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100% (2025, 4 candidates) Pass Rate

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Question 1

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Before beginning autonomic testing, which step is most critical for patient safety and test validity?

Verifying patient identity using at least two unique identifiers

Ensuring the testing room is at exactly 25°C

Calibrating the sudomotor capsules

Reviewing the patient's insurance coverage

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CAP Exam

4 hrs

Exam Time

ABRET CAP Handbook

$400

Exam Fee

ABRET fee schedule (2026)

33%

Patient Tests Domain

ABRET content outline (heaviest)

5 yrs

Credential Validity

15 CE hours for renewal

Autonomic Domains

Sudomotor, adrenergic, cardiovagal

100%

Pass Rate (2025)

ABRET stats (4 candidates)

The ABRET CAP exam is a computer-based multiple-choice exam with a 4-hour time limit and $400 fee. Content weighting: Patient Tests (33%), Testing Factors (32%), Setup (20%), Assessment (15%). Tests three autonomic domains: sudomotor (QSART, TST), adrenergic (tilt, Valsalva BP), and cardiovagal (HRDB, Valsalva ratio). Requires Associate degree + 1 year + 20 cases (Pathway I) or 2 years + 40 cases (Pathway II). Credential valid 5 years with 15 CE hours for renewal.

Sample CAP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CAP exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Before beginning autonomic testing, which step is most critical for patient safety and test validity?

A.Verifying patient identity using at least two unique identifiers

B.Ensuring the testing room is at exactly 25°C

C.Calibrating the sudomotor capsules

D.Reviewing the patient's insurance coverage

Explanation: Verifying patient identity using at least two unique identifiers (such as name, date of birth, or medical record number) is the most critical first step before any medical testing. Misidentification can lead to incorrect diagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and potential harm to the patient.

2A patient scheduled for QSART testing reports taking oxybutynin for overactive bladder. What is the appropriate action?

A.Proceed with testing since oxybutynin only affects the bladder

B.Notify the ordering physician because anticholinergic medications can suppress sweat responses and invalidate QSART results

C.Increase the acetylcholine concentration to overcome the medication effect

D.Reschedule the test for the following day

Explanation: Oxybutynin is an anticholinergic medication that blocks muscarinic receptors systemically, not just in the bladder. Since QSART relies on acetylcholine-mediated sweat gland activation, anticholinergic medications can significantly suppress or eliminate the sweat response, leading to false-positive results for sudomotor dysfunction. The ordering physician should be notified to determine if the medication can be safely discontinued before testing.

3The autonomic nervous system is divided into which two primary divisions?

A.Sympathetic and parasympathetic

B.Afferent and efferent

C.Somatic and visceral

D.Central and peripheral

Explanation: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) consists of two primary divisions: the sympathetic division (responsible for 'fight-or-flight' responses) and the parasympathetic division (responsible for 'rest-and-digest' functions). Understanding this fundamental division is essential for interpreting autonomic test results, as different tests evaluate different divisions.

4Which preganglionic neurotransmitter is shared by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A.Norepinephrine

B.Epinephrine

C.Acetylcholine

D.Dopamine

Explanation: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the neurotransmitter released at all preganglionic synapses in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The key difference between the divisions occurs at the postganglionic level: parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine, while sympathetic postganglionic neurons primarily release norepinephrine (with the exception of sweat glands, which use acetylcholine).

5A patient presents with progressive orthostatic hypotension, anhidrosis, and urinary retention. Which condition is most consistent with this presentation?

A.Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

B.Vasovagal syncope

C.Multiple system atrophy (MSA)

D.Isolated cardiovagal dysfunction

Explanation: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe autonomic failure including orthostatic hypotension, anhidrosis (absent sweating), urinary retention/incontinence, and often cerebellar or parkinsonian features. The combination of widespread autonomic dysfunction affecting multiple systems (cardiovascular, sudomotor, and genitourinary) is characteristic of MSA.

6Under HIPAA regulations, which action is permissible when handling a patient's autonomic test results?

A.Discussing results with a colleague in the hospital cafeteria if no names are used

B.Sharing results with the referring physician who ordered the test

C.Emailing unencrypted results to the patient's family member upon their verbal request

D.Posting anonymized test tracings on social media for educational purposes without patient consent

Explanation: Under HIPAA, sharing protected health information (PHI) with the referring physician who ordered the test falls under the treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO) exception and does not require separate patient authorization. The referring physician has a legitimate need for the results to guide patient care.

7Which term describes the inability to sweat?

A.Hyperhidrosis

B.Diaphoresis

C.Anhidrosis

D.Hypohidrosis

Explanation: Anhidrosis refers to the complete absence of sweating. This is an important finding in autonomic testing, particularly during thermoregulatory sweat testing (TST) and QSART, as it indicates sympathetic sudomotor failure. Anhidrosis can be focal, segmental, or generalized depending on the underlying pathology.

8A patient with a known latex allergy is scheduled for autonomic testing. Which precaution is most important?

A.Cancel all autonomic testing until the allergy resolves

B.Ensure all equipment, electrodes, and supplies used are latex-free

C.Administer prophylactic antihistamines before testing

D.Perform testing only in the emergency department

Explanation: For patients with latex allergies, the most important precaution is ensuring that all testing materials are latex-free, including gloves, electrode adhesives, blood pressure cuffs, and any other equipment that may contact the patient. Latex-free alternatives are readily available for autonomic testing equipment.

9Which cranial nerve carries the majority of parasympathetic outflow from the central nervous system?

A.Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

B.Facial nerve (CN VII)

C.Vagus nerve (CN X)

D.Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Explanation: The vagus nerve (CN X) carries approximately 75% of all parasympathetic nerve fibers and provides parasympathetic innervation to the heart, lungs, and most of the gastrointestinal tract. This is why cardiovagal function testing (heart rate deep breathing, Valsalva ratio) specifically evaluates vagal parasympathetic activity.

10A patient's history reveals they are taking a beta-blocker. Which autonomic test result is most likely to be directly affected?

A.QSART sweat volumes

B.Thermoregulatory sweat distribution pattern

C.Heart rate response during deep breathing and Valsalva maneuver

D.Resting skin temperature

Explanation: Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and blunt heart rate variability by blocking beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. This directly affects cardiovagal tests such as heart rate deep breathing (HRDB) and the Valsalva ratio, which rely on measuring heart rate changes. Beta-blockers can cause falsely reduced heart rate responses, potentially mimicking cardiovagal dysfunction.

About the CAP Exam

The CAP credential from ABRET certifies expertise in clinical autonomic function testing. The exam covers autonomic patient tests including QSART, thermoregulatory sweat test, head-up tilt, and Valsalva maneuver (33%), testing factors including troubleshooting, normal/abnormal responses, and emergency management (32%), test setup and equipment preparation (20%), and patient assessment and ANS disorder knowledge (15%). CAP-certified professionals evaluate autonomic dysfunction in conditions like diabetic neuropathy, POTS, and multiple system atrophy.

Questions

Multiple-choice (count not publicly disclosed) scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced (board-determined minimum competency)

Exam Fee

$400 (ABRET)

CAP Exam Content Outline

33%

Patient Tests

Sudomotor tests (QSART, RSO, TST), adrenergic tests (head-up tilt, Valsalva BP), cardiovagal tests (heart rate deep breathing, Valsalva ratio)

32%

Testing Factors

Factors affecting data, troubleshooting, normal/abnormal responses, emergency management, artifact identification, documentation, OSHA/safety

20%

Setup

Equipment preparation, ECG/BP/temperature monitors, skin preparation, electrical safety, infection prevention, patient positioning and education

15%

Assessment

Patient history, autonomic nervous system disorders, contraindications, ANS anatomy and physiology, HIPAA, ABRET ethics

How to Pass the CAP Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-referenced (board-determined minimum competency)
Exam length: Multiple-choice (count not publicly disclosed) questions
Time limit: 4 hours
Exam fee: $400

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CAP Study Tips from Top Performers

1Patient Tests (33%) and Testing Factors (32%) together are 65% — master the protocols, normal values, and abnormal patterns for all three autonomic domains

2Know QSART thoroughly: acetylcholine iontophoresis, 4 standard test sites (forearm, proximal leg, distal leg, foot), normal sweat volume ranges, and length-dependent patterns in neuropathy

3Understand all 4 phases of the Valsalva maneuver: Phase I (BP rise), Phase II (BP fall then recovery), Phase III (BP drop), Phase IV (overshoot) — and what absent Phase IV means

4Head-up tilt: know diagnostic criteria for orthostatic hypotension (SBP drop ≥20 or DBP drop ≥10 within 3 min) and POTS (HR increase ≥30 bpm within 10 min without OH)

5Study emergency management: vasovagal syncope during tilt, seizure-like activity, when to return patient to supine position

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ABRET CAP exam?

The CAP (Certification for Autonomic Professionals) is an ABRET credential for technologists who perform clinical autonomic function testing. It covers sudomotor, adrenergic, and cardiovagal testing in conditions like POTS, orthostatic hypotension, and autonomic neuropathy.

How much does the CAP exam cost?

The CAP exam fee is $400. No refunds, extensions, or transfers. Note: ABRET is transitioning CAP to a new testing platform in 2026.

What are the prerequisites for the CAP exam?

Pathway I: Associate degree, 1 year autonomic testing experience, 20 documented cases, 3+ educational activities, CPR/BLS. Pathway II: 2 years experience, 40 cases, 3+ educational activities, CPR/BLS.

What are the main autonomic tests on the CAP exam?

The exam covers three autonomic domains: sudomotor (QSART, thermoregulatory sweat test), adrenergic (head-up tilt test, Valsalva beat-to-beat BP), and cardiovagal (heart rate deep breathing, Valsalva ratio). Together these comprise 33% of the exam.

How long is the CAP certification valid?

The CAP credential is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 15 hours of documented continuing education in autonomic testing or retaking the exam.

What changed for the CAP exam in 2026?

ABRET is transitioning the CAP exam to a new testing platform. The application was offline until January 2026. Contact ABRET at info@abret.org for the latest scheduling information.