CAPA Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep for Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Test

The role of the nurse in post-anesthesia care is primarily focused on monitoring and managing the patient’s vital signs and comfort. This critical function ensures that any potential complications or side effects related to anesthesia are promptly identified and addressed. The nurse assesses the patient's respiratory status, cardiovascular stability, and overall neurological function, which are vital indicators of recovery from anesthesia.

In addition to monitoring vital signs, the nurse is responsible for providing comfort measures, such as pain management and addressing nausea or discomfort that may arise after surgery. This holistic approach is crucial for ensuring a safe and effective recovery process, as patients may experience varying degrees of disorientation or discomfort following anesthesia.

The other choices highlight activities that are either outside the specific scope of post-anesthesia care nursing or involve different roles in the surgical process. For instance, educating the patient about the surgical process might occur pre-operatively or in a different care setting rather than in the immediate post-anesthesia phase. Assisting in operating room duties typically involves responsibilities related to the surgical procedure itself, which takes place before the patient enters post-anesthesia care. Lastly, while nurses may have input regarding patient care, making all decisions about physician orders is not within the nursing scope, as this role involves collaboration with the physician to ensure patient