CAPA® - Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse
About CAPA Certification
The Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) exam is administered by the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC). This certification is designed for registered nurses (RNs) specializing in preanesthesia and postanesthesia care in ambulatory settings, validating their expertise in managing patients before and after anesthesia. Achieving the CAPA credential signifies a nurse's proficiency in addressing the unique physiological and psychological needs of patients during the perioperative period, ensuring safe and effective recovery. This certification underscores a commitment to excellence in ambulatory perianesthesia nursing and adherence to the highest standards of patient care.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A comprehensive certification exam for registered nurses specializing in pre and post-anesthesia care. |
Credentials Earned | Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA). |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN license and a minimum of 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience within the last two years in pre-anesthesia phase, day of surgery or procedure, post anestehsia phase II or extended care. |
Completion Time | 3 hours. |
Subjects Covered | Five domains: Anesthesia, Physiology, Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention, Perianesthesia Care Considerations, Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines. |
Number of Questions | 185 multiple-choice questions, 140 scored and 45 unscored pretest items. |
Exam Format | Computer-based test with multiple-choice questions. |
Exam Proctoring | Administered at designated testing centers or via live remote proctoring. |
Recertification Details | Required every three years; options include continuing education or re-examination. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary annually; historically the average is 65%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard. |
Study Material | BoardCerts CAPA Exam Prep. |
BoardCerts CAPA Question Bank
BoardCerts offers a comprehensive question bank tailored to help you excel on the Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) exam. The BoardCerts content aligns closely with the CAPA exam blueprint, ensuring focused and effective preparation. Each question is carefully developed and reviewed by experienced healthcare professionals, including CAPA-certified nurses, to ensure accuracy and relevance. The question bank reflects the exam's complexity and includes detailed explanations for both correct and incorrect answers, providing a strong foundation for success in ambulatory perianesthesia nursing certification.
CAPA Exam Content Outline
The Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) exam evaluates a nurse's proficiency across five primary domains:
- Anesthesia (20%): Assesses knowledge of various anesthesia techniques, including general, regional, local, moderate sedation, and monitored intravenous sedation (MAC and TIVA).
- Physiology (16%): Covers the pathophysiology of body systems, physical assessment, patient responses to procedures and anesthesia, and potential complications arising from pre-existing conditions.
- Perianesthesia Monitoring and Intervention (30%): Evaluates the ability to monitor and manage patients during the perianesthesia period.
- Perianesthesia Care Considerations (25%): Examines the continuum and transfer of care across various phases, including pre-admission, pre-operative, post-anesthesia Phase I, and Phase II.
- Professional Nursing Practice and Guidelines (9%): Assesses knowledge of multidisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based practice.
For more detailed blueprint outline, please review the CAPA exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources.
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
CAPA Exam Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the CAPA exam, candidates must have a current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories. Additionally, candidates need at least 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience caring for patients in pre-anesthesia phase, day of surgery/procedure, post-anesthesia phase II, and/or extended care.
CAPA Application Process
To apply for the Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) exam, follow these steps:
Online Application:
Application Submission:
Scheduling the Exam:
Preparation:
CAPA Exam Dates and Costs
The Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) exam is offered during specific testing windows each year. Candidates must submit their applications within designated registration periods that align with these testing windows. Once approved, candidates must schedule and take the exam within the specific dates of their chosen testing window.
For the latest details on exam dates, application deadlines, fees, and scheduling options, you may visit the official ABPANC website.
CAPA Exam Format
Number of Questions: The CAPA exam comprises 185 multiple-choice questions, of which 140 are scored, and 45 are unscored pretest questions.
Exam Response Options: Multiple-choice format.
Testing Options: The exam is available at designated test centers and can also be taken via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), providing flexibility for candidates.
Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for CAPA
Difficulty Level: The CAPA exam is considered challenging, with annual pass rates varying between 53% and 81% over recent years.
Passing Score: To pass the CAPA exam, candidates must achieve a scaled score of 450 on a scale of 200 to 800. The scaled score ensures fairness across different test versions by standardizing results based on variations in difficulty.
Exam Statistics: Detailed statistics, including annual pass rates and the number of candidates tested, are available on the ABPANC's Exam Statistics webpage.
Score Reporting: Candidates receive an immediate on-screen pass/fail notification upon completing the exam. The Score Report can be viewed online by logging back into the account used to apply for the exam and selecting the option to view the Score Report.
CAPA Exam Proctoring
The Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) certification exam is administered by the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC) in collaboration with PSI Services. Candidates have the flexibility to choose between two proctoring options:
- Live Remote Proctoring: This option allows candidates to complete the CAPA exam from a convenient location, such as their home or office. During the exam, a professional proctor monitors the candidate in real-time using their computer's webcam and microphone to ensure exam integrity.
- In-Person Testing Centers: Alternatively, candidates can opt to take the exam at one of PSI's designated testing centers, which are available across various locations. This traditional method involves attending a physical location to complete the exam under supervised conditions.
Both options are designed to maintain the exam's security and integrity while providing flexibility to accommodate your preferences and circumstances.
CAPA Preparation and Resources
BoardCerts carefully aligns its practice questions with the CAPA exam blueprint to ensure relevance and comprehensive coverage of the content candidates will encounter on the test. The question bank is developed in coordination with this blueprint, incorporating the same authoritative resources that form the foundation of the official exam. This approach provides candidates with an effective and thorough preparation experience, helping them build confidence and mastery of key perianesthesia nursing concepts.
Topics on Exam: The CAPA exam blueprint is designed to assess core knowledge in areas such as preoperative assessment, perianesthesia monitoring, patient safety, and professional practice. Understanding these topics is essential for success. More information on these topics can be found here: Preparation and Resources.
Review Course: Consider enrolling in a review course, such as those offered by the ABPANC, to build a strong foundation in exam content.
Question Bank: Utilize a comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts CAPA Question Bank, which aligns with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by CAPA-certified nurses. The question bank provides extensive practice essential for success and includes predictor exams to help gauge your exam readiness.
CAPA Certification Renewal
To recertify the Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) credential, candidates must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories and complete at least 900 hours of perianesthesia nursing practice during the three-year certification period. Recertification can be achieved through two options:
- Re-examination: Candidates can recertify by passing the CAPA exam.
- Continuing Education: Candidates must complete 70 contact hours of perianesthesia-related continuing education within the three-year period. These hours must align with ABPANC’s guidelines and reflect ongoing learning in perianesthesia nursing.
For detailed information on the renewal process and requirements, visit the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC) official recertification page.
CAPA Practice Questions
- Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of CAPA exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts CAPA Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the CAPA exam blueprint, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident on test day.
- Access Sample Questions: Find sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here. These questions are crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the CAPA exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
