ANZCA Final MCQs 2025 B
Questions and Answers
Consider the following arterial blood gases. (Ref ranges in brackets)
pH 7.28
PaCO2 36
Bicarbonate 18 mmol.l-1 (18-25)
Base excess -7 mmol.l-1 (-4- +3)
Na+ 142 mmol.l-1 (135-145)
Cl- 112 mmol.l-1 (98-110)
These blood gases are consistent with
A. acute renal failure
B. diabetic ketoacidosis
C. ethylene glycol overdose
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,D. intraoperative infusion of 6 litres of normal saline
E. salicylate overdose
4. What is the most sensitive monitor for detecting a venous air embolus during
neuroanaesthesia?
A transoesophageal electrocardiography (yes - it said electro)
B precordial Doppler
C precordial stethoscope
D capnography
E something else wrong
5. A 34 year old primigravida collapses soon after delivery of her baby, the presumptive
diagnosis is amniotic fluid embolus. Which ONE of the following supports this
diagnosis?
A markedly raised serum tryptase
B decreased C3-C4 levels
C thrombocytosis
D raised CRP
E hyperfibrinogenemia
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,RH30 You are performing a peribulbar block for eye surgery. You decide to add hyalase
to your local anaesthetic mix. What is the recommended concentration for hyalase?
A 25 U/ml
B 50 U/ml
C 100 U/ml
D 150 U/ml
E 1500 U/ml
7. (repeat PZ106) A 25 year old male presents for ECT at a free standing facility. He has
a life threatening depressive illness that has not responded adequately to medication,
however he is still taking tranylcypramine. The most appropriate course of action is
A cancel the procedure, cease tranylcypramine and perform the ECT in 2 weeks
B proceed with the ECT, but induce with midazolam and remifentanil
C proceed with the ECT, but pre treat with esmolol
D proceed with the ECT with caution, but with your usual drugs
E transfer the patient to a tertiary centre for their ECT
8. A patient has been suffered a cardiac arrest. They are intubated but there is no IV
access. Which drug can be given down the ETT?
A Amiodarone
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, B Calcium
C Lignocaine
D Magnesium
E Sodium bicarbonate
9. (repeat SO19) A well 65 year old is having a total hip replacement under GA with
sevo/nitrous/fentanyl. BP is 130/70 and stable. Before the surgeon commences
reaming and cementing, the best thing to do is
A Induce hypotension
B Raise BP with vasopressors
C Turn off nitrous
D Give steroids
E Give heparin 5000u
10. Pt in ICU in their 20s is diagnosed with brain death. History is that of
immunosuppression for a renal transplant but otherwise well (although brain dead, go
figure). Patient has expressed a desire to be an organ donor. All these organs can be
donated except
A Bone marrow
B Heart
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Questions and Answers
Consider the following arterial blood gases. (Ref ranges in brackets)
pH 7.28
PaCO2 36
Bicarbonate 18 mmol.l-1 (18-25)
Base excess -7 mmol.l-1 (-4- +3)
Na+ 142 mmol.l-1 (135-145)
Cl- 112 mmol.l-1 (98-110)
These blood gases are consistent with
A. acute renal failure
B. diabetic ketoacidosis
C. ethylene glycol overdose
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,D. intraoperative infusion of 6 litres of normal saline
E. salicylate overdose
4. What is the most sensitive monitor for detecting a venous air embolus during
neuroanaesthesia?
A transoesophageal electrocardiography (yes - it said electro)
B precordial Doppler
C precordial stethoscope
D capnography
E something else wrong
5. A 34 year old primigravida collapses soon after delivery of her baby, the presumptive
diagnosis is amniotic fluid embolus. Which ONE of the following supports this
diagnosis?
A markedly raised serum tryptase
B decreased C3-C4 levels
C thrombocytosis
D raised CRP
E hyperfibrinogenemia
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,RH30 You are performing a peribulbar block for eye surgery. You decide to add hyalase
to your local anaesthetic mix. What is the recommended concentration for hyalase?
A 25 U/ml
B 50 U/ml
C 100 U/ml
D 150 U/ml
E 1500 U/ml
7. (repeat PZ106) A 25 year old male presents for ECT at a free standing facility. He has
a life threatening depressive illness that has not responded adequately to medication,
however he is still taking tranylcypramine. The most appropriate course of action is
A cancel the procedure, cease tranylcypramine and perform the ECT in 2 weeks
B proceed with the ECT, but induce with midazolam and remifentanil
C proceed with the ECT, but pre treat with esmolol
D proceed with the ECT with caution, but with your usual drugs
E transfer the patient to a tertiary centre for their ECT
8. A patient has been suffered a cardiac arrest. They are intubated but there is no IV
access. Which drug can be given down the ETT?
A Amiodarone
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, B Calcium
C Lignocaine
D Magnesium
E Sodium bicarbonate
9. (repeat SO19) A well 65 year old is having a total hip replacement under GA with
sevo/nitrous/fentanyl. BP is 130/70 and stable. Before the surgeon commences
reaming and cementing, the best thing to do is
A Induce hypotension
B Raise BP with vasopressors
C Turn off nitrous
D Give steroids
E Give heparin 5000u
10. Pt in ICU in their 20s is diagnosed with brain death. History is that of
immunosuppression for a renal transplant but otherwise well (although brain dead, go
figure). Patient has expressed a desire to be an organ donor. All these organs can be
donated except
A Bone marrow
B Heart
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
