MOCK NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION (CRNA) EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
150 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Integrate advanced knowledge of anesthetic pharmacology and physiology to formulate safe anesthetic
plans
2 Apply critical thinking in the management of challenging airway, hemodynamic, and regional anesthesia
situations
3 Evaluate and utilize anesthesia equipment and monitoring technology appropriately
4 Synthesize professional, ethical, and safety standards in anesthesia practice
5 Mock National Certification Examination
6 CRNA
7 Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers
8 Verified Answers
9 Plus Rationale Q&A Instant Download Pdf
10 Foundations of Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
11 Applied Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
12 Advanced Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
13 Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) Review
Page 1
,Q1 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
A patient with a history of chronic opioid use is scheduled for major abdominal
surgery. Which opioid-sparing adjunct is most likely to reduce postoperative
opioid requirements by a mechanism independent of mu-opioid receptor
activation?
A. Dexmedetomidine CORRECT
B. Hydromorphone
C. Tramadol
D. Methadone
RATIONALE: Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that provides
analgesia without acting on opioid receptors, making it effective in opioid-tolerant patients.
Hydromorphone, tramadol, and methadone all exert their analgesic effects via opioid receptors,
either directly or indirectly.
Q2 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the anesthesia provider notes a sudden
decrease in end-tidal CO2 and oxygen saturation with an increase in peak airway
pressure. What is the most likely immediate diagnosis?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Endobronchial intubation
C. Pneumothorax CORRECT
D. Pulmonary embolism
RATIONALE: A sudden decrease in ETCO2 with hypoxia and increased airway pressure during
laparoscopy strongly suggests a tension pneumothorax due to carbon dioxide insufflation
tracking into the pleural space. Bronchospasm would typically present with wheezing and an
obstructive capnography waveform, not a sudden decrease in ETCO2. Endobronchial intubation
would cause increased airway pressure but usually a progressive decrease in SpO2 without a
sudden drop in ETCO2. Pulmonary embolism can cause a sudden decrease in ETCO2 but is
less likely to cause increased airway pressure.
Page 2
,Q3 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
Which of the following conditions is an absolute contraindication to the use of
succinylcholine?
A. Pseudocholinesterase deficiency
B. Chronic renal failure
C. History of malignant hyperthermia CORRECT
D. Multiple sclerosis
RATIONALE: Succinylcholine is a triggering agent for malignant hyperthermia, making a personal
or family history of MH an absolute contraindication. Pseudocholinesterase deficiency leads to
prolonged paralysis but is not an absolute contraindication if managed appropriately. Chronic
renal failure and multiple sclerosis are not contraindications, though caution is advised in
hyperkalemia.
Q4 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
A patient is undergoing a brachial plexus block via the supraclavicular approach.
Shortly after injection, the patient complains of a metallic taste and circumoral
numbness. What is the most likely cause and immediate management?
A. Intravascular injection of local anesthetic; stop injection and administer lipid emulsion
CORRECT
B. Allergic reaction to local anesthetic; administer epinephrine
C. Pneumothorax; needle decompression
D. Phrenic nerve block; support ventilation
RATIONALE: Metallic taste and circumoral numbness are early signs of local anesthetic systemic
toxicity (LAST) from intravascular injection. Immediate management includes stopping the
injection and administering intravenous lipid emulsion. Allergic reactions are rare and do not
present with these symptoms. Pneumothorax would cause respiratory symptoms, and phrenic
nerve block would cause hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, not these systemic symptoms.
Page 3
, Q5 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
In a patient with an ejection fraction of 20%, which of the following anesthetic
agents is most likely to cause the least myocardial depression?
A. Propofol
B. Sevoflurane
C. Etomidate CORRECT
D. Thiopental
RATIONALE: Etomidate is known for its hemodynamic stability and minimal myocardial
depression, making it a preferred induction agent in patients with poor ventricular function.
Propofol and thiopental cause significant dose-dependent myocardial depression and
vasodilation. Sevoflurane, while having some myocardial depressive effects, is less than propofol
but still more than etomidate.
Q6 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
Which of the following correctly describes the effect of pregnancy on minimum
alveolar concentration (MAC) of volatile anesthetics?
A. MAC is increased due to elevated progesterone levels
B. MAC is decreased due to increased endorphin levels CORRECT
C. MAC is unchanged throughout pregnancy
D. MAC is initially decreased, then returns to baseline in the third trimester
RATIONALE: Pregnancy decreases MAC for volatile anesthetics, likely due to elevated
endogenous endorphins and progesterone. This effect is most pronounced in the first and
second trimesters, with MAC returning to near baseline in the postpartum period. The other
options incorrectly state the direction or timing of the change.
Page 4
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
150 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Integrate advanced knowledge of anesthetic pharmacology and physiology to formulate safe anesthetic
plans
2 Apply critical thinking in the management of challenging airway, hemodynamic, and regional anesthesia
situations
3 Evaluate and utilize anesthesia equipment and monitoring technology appropriately
4 Synthesize professional, ethical, and safety standards in anesthesia practice
5 Mock National Certification Examination
6 CRNA
7 Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers
8 Verified Answers
9 Plus Rationale Q&A Instant Download Pdf
10 Foundations of Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
11 Applied Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
12 Advanced Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
13 Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) Review
Page 1
,Q1 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
A patient with a history of chronic opioid use is scheduled for major abdominal
surgery. Which opioid-sparing adjunct is most likely to reduce postoperative
opioid requirements by a mechanism independent of mu-opioid receptor
activation?
A. Dexmedetomidine CORRECT
B. Hydromorphone
C. Tramadol
D. Methadone
RATIONALE: Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that provides
analgesia without acting on opioid receptors, making it effective in opioid-tolerant patients.
Hydromorphone, tramadol, and methadone all exert their analgesic effects via opioid receptors,
either directly or indirectly.
Q2 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the anesthesia provider notes a sudden
decrease in end-tidal CO2 and oxygen saturation with an increase in peak airway
pressure. What is the most likely immediate diagnosis?
A. Bronchospasm
B. Endobronchial intubation
C. Pneumothorax CORRECT
D. Pulmonary embolism
RATIONALE: A sudden decrease in ETCO2 with hypoxia and increased airway pressure during
laparoscopy strongly suggests a tension pneumothorax due to carbon dioxide insufflation
tracking into the pleural space. Bronchospasm would typically present with wheezing and an
obstructive capnography waveform, not a sudden decrease in ETCO2. Endobronchial intubation
would cause increased airway pressure but usually a progressive decrease in SpO2 without a
sudden drop in ETCO2. Pulmonary embolism can cause a sudden decrease in ETCO2 but is
less likely to cause increased airway pressure.
Page 2
,Q3 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
Which of the following conditions is an absolute contraindication to the use of
succinylcholine?
A. Pseudocholinesterase deficiency
B. Chronic renal failure
C. History of malignant hyperthermia CORRECT
D. Multiple sclerosis
RATIONALE: Succinylcholine is a triggering agent for malignant hyperthermia, making a personal
or family history of MH an absolute contraindication. Pseudocholinesterase deficiency leads to
prolonged paralysis but is not an absolute contraindication if managed appropriately. Chronic
renal failure and multiple sclerosis are not contraindications, though caution is advised in
hyperkalemia.
Q4 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
A patient is undergoing a brachial plexus block via the supraclavicular approach.
Shortly after injection, the patient complains of a metallic taste and circumoral
numbness. What is the most likely cause and immediate management?
A. Intravascular injection of local anesthetic; stop injection and administer lipid emulsion
CORRECT
B. Allergic reaction to local anesthetic; administer epinephrine
C. Pneumothorax; needle decompression
D. Phrenic nerve block; support ventilation
RATIONALE: Metallic taste and circumoral numbness are early signs of local anesthetic systemic
toxicity (LAST) from intravascular injection. Immediate management includes stopping the
injection and administering intravenous lipid emulsion. Allergic reactions are rare and do not
present with these symptoms. Pneumothorax would cause respiratory symptoms, and phrenic
nerve block would cause hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, not these systemic symptoms.
Page 3
, Q5 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
In a patient with an ejection fraction of 20%, which of the following anesthetic
agents is most likely to cause the least myocardial depression?
A. Propofol
B. Sevoflurane
C. Etomidate CORRECT
D. Thiopental
RATIONALE: Etomidate is known for its hemodynamic stability and minimal myocardial
depression, making it a preferred induction agent in patients with poor ventricular function.
Propofol and thiopental cause significant dose-dependent myocardial depression and
vasodilation. Sevoflurane, while having some myocardial depressive effects, is less than propofol
but still more than etomidate.
Q6 INTEGRATE ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY TO FORMULATE SAFE ANESTHETIC PLANS
Which of the following correctly describes the effect of pregnancy on minimum
alveolar concentration (MAC) of volatile anesthetics?
A. MAC is increased due to elevated progesterone levels
B. MAC is decreased due to increased endorphin levels CORRECT
C. MAC is unchanged throughout pregnancy
D. MAC is initially decreased, then returns to baseline in the third trimester
RATIONALE: Pregnancy decreases MAC for volatile anesthetics, likely due to elevated
endogenous endorphins and progesterone. This effect is most pronounced in the first and
second trimesters, with MAC returning to near baseline in the postpartum period. The other
options incorrectly state the direction or timing of the change.
Page 4
