Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse Test with our comprehensive quiz. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to ensure you are ready for your CAPA exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which action can decrease surgical complications effectively?

Shaving the surgical site 24 hours before surgery
Prophylactic antibiotics continued for 48 hours
Urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 1
Preoperative antiseptic showers with chlorhexidine

The correct answer is: Urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 1

The action that effectively decreases surgical complications is the practice of preoperative antiseptic showers with chlorhexidine. This method has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of surgical site infections. Research indicates that using antiseptic agents like chlorhexidine before surgery can minimize bacterial load on the skin, thus providing a cleaner field for the operation. This proactive approach to infection control is important, especially in preventing complications that might arise from bacteria entering the surgical site during the procedure. In contrast, the other options may not be as effective or appropriate in reducing surgical complications. Shaving the surgical site 24 hours before surgery can lead to micro-abrasions that increase the risk of infection. Prophylactic antibiotics, while beneficial, are typically recommended to be administered shortly before or during the surgery rather than continued postoperatively for an extended period; their effectiveness diminishes when not timed properly. Lastly, urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 1 is an important practice but is more focused on preventing urinary tract infections rather than addressing broader surgical complications.