Free CPANpractice hub.
Twelve Phase I scenarios with the full rationale on every option, the domains ABPANC actually tests, and the study plan PACU nurses use to pass on the first attempt.
A 58-year-old arrives in PACU after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Within two minutes the patient develops loud snoring respirations, paradoxical chest movement, and SpO2 drifts from 97% to 88%. What is your first action?
Want 40 more scenarios like these?
The CPAN Practice Pack drills all ten Phase I domains: 40 scenario questions with the full rationale on every option, a printable domain checklist, and the 8-week study plan. Download it the second your payment clears.
- 40 CPAN-style scenarios across all 10 exam domains
- Full rationale on every option — the distractor logic is the exam skill
- Printable domain checklist + 8-week study plan
- Instant PDF download after checkout
Secure checkout by Stripe. Study aid only — always follow current orders, facility policy, and ABPANC guidance. Not affiliated with ABPANC.
Not ready to buy? Take the free PACU kit.
The printable first-shift survival kit — bay setup checklist, handoff questions, SBAR template — plus a short email series with more free practice.
What the CPAN exam covers
CPAN is the ABPANC credential for Phase I post-anesthesia recovery. Items are application-level and built around the patient in front of you, not definitions.
Always verify current eligibility hours, cost, and testing windows with ABPANC before you apply — requirements are periodically updated.
How PACU nurses pass on the first attempt
- Study by domain, not by page number — ABPANC tests application, so drill scenarios inside one body system until the pattern is automatic.
- For every question you miss, write one sentence on why the distractor felt right. That sentence is the gap the exam is testing.
- Learn the emergencies cold: malignant hyperthermia, laryngospasm, negative pressure pulmonary edema, unstable dysrhythmias, local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
- Know the standards you already practice — Aldrete scoring, normothermia, PONV risk scoring, Phase I to Phase II discharge criteria.
- Test in 25-question blocks with a timer so exam-day pacing is muscle memory, not a surprise.
- Confirm current eligibility hours, cost, and testing windows directly with ABPANC before you apply — they change.
Keep going
CPAN practice FAQ
Is CPAN practice on this page free?
Yes. All twelve scenario questions, the rationales, the domain map, and the study plan are free with no account required.
What does the CPAN exam cover?
CPAN focuses on Phase I post-anesthesia recovery: airway and anesthesia recovery, cardiovascular and respiratory management, pain, thermoregulation, fluids and electrolytes, neurologic and endocrine care, PONV, and patient safety and advocacy.
What is the difference between CPAN and CAPA?
CPAN certifies nursing practice in Phase I post-anesthesia recovery. CAPA covers preadmission, day of surgery, and Phase II. Many perianesthesia nurses eventually hold both.
How long should a PACU nurse study for CPAN?
Most nurses use eight to twelve weeks of consistent practice questions by domain, rather than a single cram block, and review every rationale — including the ones they answered correctly.