CRNA Interview Drugs Exam Questions And
Correct Answers
Propofol MOA - ANSWER GABA agonist; Propofol is a short-acting, lipophilic intravenous
general anesthetic. The drug is unrelated to any of the currently used barbiturate, opioid,
benzodiazepine, arylcyclohexylamine, or imidazole intravenous anesthetic agents. Propofol
causes global CNS depression, presumably through agonism of GABAA receptors and perhaps
reduced glutamatergic activity through NMDA receptor blockade.
Propofol dosing - ANSWER 1-2 mg/kg initial dose; 25-150 mcg/kg/min infusion rate
Ketamine MOA - ANSWER NMDA(n-methyl d-aspartate) (nerve cell) receptor antagonist;
Produces a cataleptic-like state in which the patient is dissociated from the surrounding
environment by direct action on the cortex and limbic system. Ketamine is a noncompetitive
NMDA receptor antagonist that blocks glutamate. Low (subanesthetic) doses produce
analgesia, and modulate central sensitization, hyperalgesia and opioid tolerance. Reduces
polysynaptic spinal reflexes.
Ketamine dosing - ANSWER 1-2 mg/kg; 0.3-1.2 mg/kg/hr continuous rate
Fentanyl MOA - ANSWER Provides analgesia and sedation by acting on the opiate receptors in
the brain, blocking sensation of pain. Binds with stereospecific receptors at many sites within
the CNS, increases pain threshold, alters pain reception, inhibits ascending pain pathways
Fentanyl dosing - ANSWER 1-2 mcg/kg; 1-3 mcg/kg/hr continuous
Morphine MOA-ANSWER Binds to opioid receptors in the CNS, causing inhibition of ascending
pain pathways, altering the perception of and response to pain; produces generalized CNS
depression
Correct Answers
Propofol MOA - ANSWER GABA agonist; Propofol is a short-acting, lipophilic intravenous
general anesthetic. The drug is unrelated to any of the currently used barbiturate, opioid,
benzodiazepine, arylcyclohexylamine, or imidazole intravenous anesthetic agents. Propofol
causes global CNS depression, presumably through agonism of GABAA receptors and perhaps
reduced glutamatergic activity through NMDA receptor blockade.
Propofol dosing - ANSWER 1-2 mg/kg initial dose; 25-150 mcg/kg/min infusion rate
Ketamine MOA - ANSWER NMDA(n-methyl d-aspartate) (nerve cell) receptor antagonist;
Produces a cataleptic-like state in which the patient is dissociated from the surrounding
environment by direct action on the cortex and limbic system. Ketamine is a noncompetitive
NMDA receptor antagonist that blocks glutamate. Low (subanesthetic) doses produce
analgesia, and modulate central sensitization, hyperalgesia and opioid tolerance. Reduces
polysynaptic spinal reflexes.
Ketamine dosing - ANSWER 1-2 mg/kg; 0.3-1.2 mg/kg/hr continuous rate
Fentanyl MOA - ANSWER Provides analgesia and sedation by acting on the opiate receptors in
the brain, blocking sensation of pain. Binds with stereospecific receptors at many sites within
the CNS, increases pain threshold, alters pain reception, inhibits ascending pain pathways
Fentanyl dosing - ANSWER 1-2 mcg/kg; 1-3 mcg/kg/hr continuous
Morphine MOA-ANSWER Binds to opioid receptors in the CNS, causing inhibition of ascending
pain pathways, altering the perception of and response to pain; produces generalized CNS
depression
