200+ Free CAPA Practice Questions

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A patient is scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery with monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Which statement about MAC is most accurate?

The patient will be completely unconscious and require airway support

The patient remains responsive to verbal stimulation and breathes independently

MAC is equivalent to general anesthesia but with shorter duration

MAC requires endotracheal intubation for airway protection

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CAPA Exam

65-75%

Pass Rate

ABPANC 2024

185

Total Questions

140 scored

3 hrs

Exam Time

ABPANC

30%

Monitoring Domain

Largest section

$360

Exam Fee

ABPANC 2026

3 years

Certification Valid

Recertification cycle

The CAPA exam has a 65-75% pass rate for experienced nurses. It contains 185 questions (140 scored) over 3 hours with scaled scoring (200-800, 450 passing). Ambulatory perianesthesia nursing offers excellent career prospects with strong demand in outpatient surgery centers and same-day surgery units. CAPA certification demonstrates expertise in preoperative assessment and ambulatory recovery care, enhancing career opportunities in outpatient settings.

Sample CAPA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CAPA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A patient is scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery with monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Which statement about MAC is most accurate?

A.The patient will be completely unconscious and require airway support

B.The patient remains responsive to verbal stimulation and breathes independently

C.MAC is equivalent to general anesthesia but with shorter duration

D.MAC requires endotracheal intubation for airway protection

Explanation: Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) involves the administration of sedatives and analgesics while the patient maintains the ability to respond purposefully to verbal stimulation and breathe independently. Unlike general anesthesia, the patient does not lose consciousness entirely and typically does not require airway instrumentation.

2A patient receives a femoral nerve block for outpatient ACL repair. What is the priority assessment finding the nurse should monitor for in the immediate postoperative period?

A.Nausea and vomiting

B.Quadriceps weakness and motor block

C.Hypertension

D.Urinary retention

Explanation: Femoral nerve blocks affect the quadriceps muscle, causing motor weakness that can lead to falls if the patient attempts to ambulate too soon. The nurse must assess motor function before allowing the patient to bear weight. While nausea and urinary retention are possible, quadriceps weakness is the priority safety concern for ambulatory patients.

3Which local anesthetic agent has the longest duration of action when used for peripheral nerve blocks?

A.Lidocaine

B.Mepivacaine

C.Bupivacaine

D.Prilocaine

Explanation: Bupivacaine is a long-acting amide local anesthetic with a duration of action of 4-12 hours for peripheral nerve blocks, making it ideal for postoperative pain management in ambulatory surgery. Lidocaine and mepivacaine are intermediate-acting (2-4 hours), while prilocaine has a shorter duration.

4A patient undergoing cataract surgery under topical anesthesia complains of eye pain and begins moving during the procedure. The perianesthesia nurse should anticipate which intervention?

A.Immediate conversion to general anesthesia

B.Administration of intravenous sedatives or analgesics

C.Termination of the surgical procedure

D.Application of additional topical anesthetic only

Explanation: During ophthalmic procedures under topical anesthesia, patient movement or discomfort can often be managed with supplemental IV sedation or analgesia. Conversion to general anesthesia is rarely necessary for cataract surgery. The anesthesia provider may administer additional sedatives to ensure patient comfort and cooperation.

5The perianesthesia nurse is caring for a patient following an axillary brachial plexus block. Which assessment finding indicates a successful block?

A.Numbness in the C5-C6 dermatomes only

B.Sensation loss in the ulnar, median, and radial nerve distributions

C.Motor function intact with only sensory changes

D.Horner's syndrome on the affected side

Explanation: A successful axillary brachial plexus block provides anesthesia to the terminal branches including the ulnar, median, and radial nerves, covering the hand and forearm. The axillary approach does not reliably block the musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C6). Horner's syndrome is associated with cervical plexus or interscalene blocks, not axillary blocks.

6Propofol is the preferred induction agent for ambulatory surgery because it:

A.Provides prolonged sedation with minimal respiratory depression

B.Causes rapid emergence with minimal postoperative nausea

C.Has analgesic properties that reduce opioid requirements

D.Is reversible with flumazenil

Explanation: Propofol is ideal for ambulatory surgery due to its rapid onset, short duration of action, and rapid clearance, allowing for fast emergence. It also has antiemetic properties, contributing to lower rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Propofol has no analgesic properties and is not reversible with flumazenil (which reverses benzodiazepines).

7A patient with a family history of pseudocholinesterase deficiency is scheduled for outpatient surgery. Which neuromuscular blocker should be avoided?

A.Rocuronium

B.Vecuronium

C.Succinylcholine

D.Cisatracurium

Explanation: Succinylcholine is metabolized by pseudocholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase). Patients with pseudocholinesterase deficiency cannot metabolize succinylcholine, resulting in prolonged neuromuscular blockade and apnea. Non-depolarizing agents such as rocuronium, vecuronium, and cisatracurium are metabolized differently and are safe alternatives.

8Which intravenous anesthetic agent provides the best analgesia with minimal respiratory depression for painful outpatient procedures?

A.Propofol

B.Ketamine

C.Etomidate

D.Midazolam

Explanation: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that provides excellent analgesia at subanesthetic doses while maintaining airway reflexes and spontaneous ventilation. This makes it valuable for painful procedures in ambulatory settings. Propofol and etomidate provide no analgesia, and midazolam provides only minimal anxiolysis without significant analgesia.

9A patient receiving general anesthesia develops rigidity, tachycardia, and hyperthermia. The perianesthesia nurse recognizes these as signs of:

A.Malignant hyperthermia

B.Local anesthetic systemic toxicity

C.Anaphylactic reaction

D.Thyroid storm

Explanation: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a hypermetabolic crisis triggered by volatile anesthetics or succinylcholine, characterized by muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, tachycardia, hyperkalemia, and metabolic acidosis. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate discontinuation of triggering agents, administration of dantrolene, and supportive care.

10Dexmedetomidine is increasingly used in ambulatory surgery because it:

A.Provides rapid induction of general anesthesia

B.Produces sedation and analgesia without respiratory depression

C.Reverses the effects of opioid overdose

D.Prevents postoperative shivering exclusively

Explanation: Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 agonist that provides sedation and mild analgesia without significant respiratory depression, making it valuable for ambulatory procedures. Unlike opioids, it does not cause respiratory depression, and unlike propofol, it allows patients to be easily arousable. It does not reverse opioid effects (naloxone does) and is not primarily used for shivering.

About the CAPA Exam

The CAPA certification validates competency in ambulatory perianesthesia nursing care. The exam covers five domains: Anesthesia (20%), Physiology (16%), Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention (30%), Perianesthesia Care Considerations (25%), and Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines (9%). The exam consists of 185 questions (140 scored) administered over 3 hours.

Questions

185 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

450/800 (scaled)

Exam Fee

$360 (ABPANC (American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification))

CAPA Exam Content Outline

20%

Anesthesia

General anesthesia, regional anesthesia, moderate sedation techniques, anesthesia pharmacology, anesthetic agents, special populations, and preoperative anesthesia considerations for ambulatory patients

16%

Physiology

Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, endocrine systems, fluid and electrolyte balance, thermoregulation, pain mechanisms, and pathophysiology affecting ambulatory perianesthesia care

30%

Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention

Vital signs and hemodynamic monitoring, oxygenation and ventilation management, fluid and electrolyte management, infection prevention, airway management, positioning, and emergency interventions in ambulatory settings

25%

Perianesthesia Care Considerations

Individualized patient care across the lifespan, patient and family education, discharge planning, same-day surgery preparation, Phase II recovery, and care coordination for ambulatory patients

Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines

Regulatory requirements, legal and ethical standards, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and professional standards of ambulatory perianesthesia nursing practice

How to Pass the CAPA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 450/800 (scaled)
Exam length: 185 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $360

Keys to Passing

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

CAPA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master preoperative assessment criteria - ASA classification, NPO status, and same-day surgery screening

2Understand discharge criteria for ambulatory patients - PADSS scoring and discharge readiness

3Study Phase II recovery considerations - pain management, PONV prophylaxis, and ambulation

4Know anesthesia pharmacology specific to ambulatory care - short-acting agents and rapid emergence

5Review patient education requirements for discharge - wound care, activity restrictions, and when to call

6Understand complications that require extended observation or admission from ambulatory surgery

7Study multimodal analgesia and regional techniques common in ambulatory settings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAPA exam pass rate?

The CAPA pass rate typically ranges from 65-75% depending on preparation, experience level, and clinical background. Nurses with substantial ambulatory surgery experience generally have higher pass rates. The exam uses scaled scoring from 200-800, with 450 required to pass.

How many questions are on the CAPA exam?

The CAPA exam contains 185 multiple-choice questions total, with 140 scored questions and 45 unscored pretest questions. You have 3 hours to complete the exam. The exam is administered via computer-based testing at PSI testing centers.

What are the CAPA eligibility requirements?

To sit for the CAPA exam, you must have: (1) Current unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or Canada, (2) Minimum 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience in ambulatory perianesthesia nursing within the past 2 years, or (3) Minimum 1,800 hours within the past 3 years. Experience must include both preoperative and Phase II/III recovery care in ambulatory settings.

What content areas are covered on the CAPA exam?

The CAPA exam covers five domains: Anesthesia (20%), Physiology (16%), Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention (30%), Perianesthesia Care Considerations (25%), and Professional Nursing Practice (9%). The Care Considerations domain is larger than on CPAN, reflecting the importance of discharge planning and patient education in ambulatory settings.

How long is CAPA certification valid?

CAPA certification is valid for 3 years. Recertification can be achieved through continuing education (contact hours) or by retaking the exam. ABPANC requires a minimum of 90 contact hours of perianesthesia-related continuing education over the 3-year certification cycle.

What is the difference between CAPA and CPAN?

CAPA (Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse) focuses on preoperative assessment and Phase II/III ambulatory recovery care. CPAN (Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse) focuses on Phase I PACU care and immediate post-anesthesia recovery. Many nurses hold both certifications. The exams have similar formats but different content weightings reflecting their practice settings.

How should I prepare for the CAPA exam?

Study systematically across all five domains. Focus on the largest domains: Monitoring and Intervention (30%) and Care Considerations (25%). Use ABPANC study resources, CAPA review courses, and practice questions. Review preoperative assessment criteria, discharge planning, anesthesia pharmacology, and ambulatory-specific protocols. Plan for 2-3 months of dedicated study time.