Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

What is the primary goal of patient education in the perianesthesia setting?

1. Get all paperwork completed

2. Decrease anxiety to facilitate understanding of information

3. Make sure all discharge instructions are distributed

4. Ensure proper understanding of facility and fee incurred

The correct answer is: Decrease anxiety to facilitate understanding of information

The primary goal of patient education in the perianesthesia setting is to decrease anxiety to facilitate understanding of information. This is crucial because patients often experience anxiety before and after anesthesia, which can hinder their ability to comprehend and retain important information about their care, procedures, and recovery. Effective education helps to alleviate fears, allowing patients to be more engaged in their care and make informed decisions. When patients understand what to expect regarding their anesthesia and recovery process, they are less anxious and more likely to follow post-operative instructions accurately. This understanding enhances their cooperation and reinforces a sense of control, promoting a smoother recovery. The other choices, while important in their own right, do not directly address the core aim of patient education. Completing paperwork and distributing discharge instructions are essential tasks but are not the central focus of educating patients. Likewise, while it's necessary for patients to understand fees and facility policies, these aspects do not prioritize their emotional and cognitive preparedness, which is fundamentally important in the perianesthesia context.