PIL AB Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
What is local anaesthesia? - Correct answer-Local, reversible loss of sensation
without loss of consciousness
What is general anaesthesia? - Correct answer-Administration of drugs that
produce a loss of consciousness
Name a local anaesthetic cream and its common use - Correct answer-EMLA
Prevent pain or discomfort associated with venepuncture
In what circumstances would you anaesthetise an animal? - Correct answer-To
provide immobility so the animal does not displace catheters or move during
imaging procedures.
To prevent pain during experimental procedures.
To prevent distress during physical restraint
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,Which of the three Rs are relevant to use of anaesthesia? - Correct answer-
Reduction - minimise death due to poor anaesthetic technique
Refinement - minimise pain
What affect does anaesthesia have on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems? -
Correct answer-It depresses them
What effects can anaesthesia have which might disrupt particular research
projects? - Correct answer-Alterations in immune function, metastatic rates of
tumours, changes in organ blood flow distribution, competition for enzyme
pathways, interaction with receptors and changes in gastrointestinal motility
Do mice need to fast before use of anaesthesia? - Correct answer-No as they cannot
vomit
What is the triad of anaesthesia? - Correct answer-Loss of sensation
Loss of consciousness
Production of muscle relaxation
List the advantages of inhalational anaesthesia - Correct answer-They are simple to
administer
Induction (onset) of anaesthesia is usually smooth and rapid.
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,It is easy to change the depth of anaesthesia
Recovery is usually rapid (within 10-15 minutes) and uneventful
List the disadvantages of inhalational anaesthesia - Correct answer-The equipment
needed for their safe use is relatively expensive
It is usually possible to anaesthetise only one animal at a time
Waste anaesthetic gases must be removed for health and safety reasons
List the advantages of injectable anaesthesia - Correct answer-Multiple animals can
be anaesthetised at the same time (provided you can monitor them effectively).
Injectable anaesthetics do not require the use of specialist equipment, but it is
important to be able to deliver oxygen as many of these agents cause respiratory
depression.
List the disadvantages of injectable anaesthesia - Correct answer-Once the
anaesthetic has been administered the dose cannot be changed.
There is individual variability in the response to a given dose of anaesthetic.
Since the dose of anaesthetic needed by individual animals varies, the best way to
give these agents is by intravenous injection. This is the preferred route for
administering injectable anaesthetics as it allows the dose to be adjusted to match
the particular animal's requirements. Unfortunately, it can be technically difficult to
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, use this route in small rodents, so most injectable anaesthetics are given by
intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection in these species.
What is ketamine combined with when used as an anaesthetic? - Correct answer-
Medetomidine
What are the considerations when using intramuscular injection of anaesthesia? -
Correct answer-It takes about 5-10 minutes for anaesthesia to develop after
intramuscular administration. Can cause pain on administration in small rodents as
the muscle mass is so small relative to the volume to be injected. Some agents are
irritant and can cause muscle damage ( e.g. Ketamine ).
What are the considerations when using intravenous injection of anaesthesia? -
Correct answer-Ideal as the dose can be adjusted to be appropriate for the
individual animal, and to produce the depth of anaesthesia required. Unfortunately
intravenous injection is technically demanding in small rodents.
What are the considerations when using intraperitoneal injection of anaesthesia? -
Correct answer-This is one of the most widely used means of giving injectable
anaesthetics to rodents, but in 5-10% of cases not all of the injected anaesthetic is
delivered intraperitoneally. If a large proportion is delivered into the fat or
intestines, then an inadequate anaesthetic effect will be produced. Not all
anaesthetics are suitable for administration by this route
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Answers
What is local anaesthesia? - Correct answer-Local, reversible loss of sensation
without loss of consciousness
What is general anaesthesia? - Correct answer-Administration of drugs that
produce a loss of consciousness
Name a local anaesthetic cream and its common use - Correct answer-EMLA
Prevent pain or discomfort associated with venepuncture
In what circumstances would you anaesthetise an animal? - Correct answer-To
provide immobility so the animal does not displace catheters or move during
imaging procedures.
To prevent pain during experimental procedures.
To prevent distress during physical restraint
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Which of the three Rs are relevant to use of anaesthesia? - Correct answer-
Reduction - minimise death due to poor anaesthetic technique
Refinement - minimise pain
What affect does anaesthesia have on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems? -
Correct answer-It depresses them
What effects can anaesthesia have which might disrupt particular research
projects? - Correct answer-Alterations in immune function, metastatic rates of
tumours, changes in organ blood flow distribution, competition for enzyme
pathways, interaction with receptors and changes in gastrointestinal motility
Do mice need to fast before use of anaesthesia? - Correct answer-No as they cannot
vomit
What is the triad of anaesthesia? - Correct answer-Loss of sensation
Loss of consciousness
Production of muscle relaxation
List the advantages of inhalational anaesthesia - Correct answer-They are simple to
administer
Induction (onset) of anaesthesia is usually smooth and rapid.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,It is easy to change the depth of anaesthesia
Recovery is usually rapid (within 10-15 minutes) and uneventful
List the disadvantages of inhalational anaesthesia - Correct answer-The equipment
needed for their safe use is relatively expensive
It is usually possible to anaesthetise only one animal at a time
Waste anaesthetic gases must be removed for health and safety reasons
List the advantages of injectable anaesthesia - Correct answer-Multiple animals can
be anaesthetised at the same time (provided you can monitor them effectively).
Injectable anaesthetics do not require the use of specialist equipment, but it is
important to be able to deliver oxygen as many of these agents cause respiratory
depression.
List the disadvantages of injectable anaesthesia - Correct answer-Once the
anaesthetic has been administered the dose cannot be changed.
There is individual variability in the response to a given dose of anaesthetic.
Since the dose of anaesthetic needed by individual animals varies, the best way to
give these agents is by intravenous injection. This is the preferred route for
administering injectable anaesthetics as it allows the dose to be adjusted to match
the particular animal's requirements. Unfortunately, it can be technically difficult to
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, use this route in small rodents, so most injectable anaesthetics are given by
intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection in these species.
What is ketamine combined with when used as an anaesthetic? - Correct answer-
Medetomidine
What are the considerations when using intramuscular injection of anaesthesia? -
Correct answer-It takes about 5-10 minutes for anaesthesia to develop after
intramuscular administration. Can cause pain on administration in small rodents as
the muscle mass is so small relative to the volume to be injected. Some agents are
irritant and can cause muscle damage ( e.g. Ketamine ).
What are the considerations when using intravenous injection of anaesthesia? -
Correct answer-Ideal as the dose can be adjusted to be appropriate for the
individual animal, and to produce the depth of anaesthesia required. Unfortunately
intravenous injection is technically demanding in small rodents.
What are the considerations when using intraperitoneal injection of anaesthesia? -
Correct answer-This is one of the most widely used means of giving injectable
anaesthetics to rodents, but in 5-10% of cases not all of the injected anaesthetic is
delivered intraperitoneally. If a large proportion is delivered into the fat or
intestines, then an inadequate anaesthetic effect will be produced. Not all
anaesthetics are suitable for administration by this route
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
