Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CPAN Practice Questions and Study Guide

The return of neurological function after anesthesia is indicated by several critical assessments, with the ability to follow commands and orientation standing out as a key measure of cognitive recovery. When a patient is able to follow commands, it demonstrates that their cognitive function is intact and that they are re-establishing communication with their environment. Orientation to person, place, and time further confirms the restoration of higher-order brain functions, which are essential for full neurological recovery.

Other assessments, while important, are not as direct indicators of neurological function. The ability to eat and drink can suggest some recovery, but it does not specifically assess cognitive function. Similarly, the return of bowel sounds indicates gastrointestinal recovery rather than neurological status. Judgment regarding pain intensity reflects the patient’s sensory response and pain management capabilities but is not as specifically linked to the overall return of neurological function as orientation and the ability to follow commands.