CRNA Certification Prep, High-Yield Topics, and
Exam Success Strategies
Prepare for CRNA certification with the APEX + NBCRNA Review, a comprehensive study
solution for the NCE, SEE, and CPC programs. Access high-yield content, practice questions,
detailed study plans, and proven strategies to boost your CRNA exam success. Perfect for
nurse anesthesia students seeking top-notch board review resources and exam readiness.
APEX + NBCRNA review
CRNA board review
NCE exam prep
SEE exam study guide
basic sequence of the synthesis of endogenous catecholamines - ANSWER-Tyrosine converted
by tyrosine hydroxylase > Dopa
Dopa converted by aromatic L amino acid decarboxylase > Dopamine
Dopamine converted by Dopamine B hydroxylase > NE
NE converted by phentylethnolamine N methyltransferase > Epi
What is an ionic bond? - ANSWER-An ionic bond involves the complete transfer of valence
electrons from one atom to another. This leaves one atom with a negative charge and the other
with a positive charge. Metals tend to form ionic bonds.
,Ionic bonds are common with metals as well as acids and bases.
Do the following structures elongate/tense or shorten/relax; motor innervation?
- Vocalis
- Cricothyroid
- Thyroarytenoid - ANSWER--Vocalis: shortens/relaxes; RLN
-Cricothyroid: elongates/tenses; SLN-external branch
-Thyroarytenoid: shortens/relaxes; RLN
Describe the architecture of an atom - ANSWER--The atom is the basic building block that
makes up all matter
-Protons (+) charge
-Neutrons (neutral) charge
-Electrons (-) charge
-Protons and neutrons are in the center of the atom (nucleus), electrons orbit the nucleus in the
electron cloud
What is resting membrane potential in ventricular myocytes? Threshold potential? - ANSWER-
RMP: -90 mV
TP: -70 mV
How do you know if an atom carries a charge?
,What is a charged atom called? - ANSWER-An atom will have a neutral charge if electrons =
protons
A positive charge if protons > electrons
A negative charge if electrons > protons
An ion is an atom that carries a positive or negative charge.
An ion with a positive charge is called a cation
An ion with a negative charge is called an anion
What is a covalent bond? - ANSWER-Involves the equal sharing of electrons. This is the
strongest type of bond.
Depolarization throughout the heart is facilitated by what structures? - ANSWER-Gap junctions
What is a polar covalent bond? - ANSWER-an "in-between" type of bond
Atoms share electrons, but the electrons tend to remain closer to one atom than the other. This
creates a polar molecule where one area of the molecule is relatively positive and the other is
relatively negative.
dietary amino acid that is necessary for catecholamine synthesis - ANSWER-tyrosine
, What are Van der Waals forces? - ANSWER-Describe a very weak intermolecular force that holds
molecules of the same type together.
Electrons orbiting a molecule are in constant motion. This creates a temporary partial + and -
charge at different parts of the molecule at any given time. The net result is that electron rich
areas of one molecule will be attracted to electron poor areas of another molecule.
This is the weakest type of molecular attraction.
What muscle closes the laryngeal vestibules? - ANSWER-Eryepiglottic
Define automaticity - ANSWER-The ability to spontaneously generate an action potential
Define Dalton's law. List several examples of how it can be used in the OR. - ANSWER-Dalton's
law of partial pressures says that the total pressure is equal to the sum of the partial pressures
exerted by each gas in the mixture.
Ways to apply Dalton's law:
-Calculate the partial pressure of an unmeasured gas
-Calculate the total pressure
-Convert partial pressure to volumes %
-Convert volume % to partial pressure