AVTAA Veterinary Technician Specialty
Examination in Equine Anesthesia – 100
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which pre-anesthetic drug is commonly used in horses to provide
sedation and muscle relaxation?
A. Atropine
B. Xylazine
C. Ketamine
D. Diazepam
Rationale: Xylazine is an alpha-2 agonist widely used in horses for
sedation and muscle relaxation before anesthesia.
2. What is the primary risk associated with prolonged dorsal recumbency
in horses under anesthesia?
, A. Hyperthermia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Neuropathy and myopathy
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Prolonged dorsal recumbency can compress muscles and
nerves, leading to post-anesthetic myopathy or neuropathy.
3. Which inhalant anesthetic agent is commonly used for maintenance in
equine anesthesia?
A. Propofol
B. Isoflurane
C. Xylazine
D. Ketamine
Rationale: Isoflurane is a volatile anesthetic agent frequently used
for maintenance due to its controllability and safety profile in horses.
4. Which artery is commonly used for arterial blood pressure monitoring
in anesthetized horses?
A. Jugular
B. Femoral
C. Facial
D. Carotid
Rationale: The facial artery is superficial and accessible, making it
ideal for direct arterial pressure monitoring in horses.
,5. What is the main concern when using ketamine as an induction agent
in horses?
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Excitement and muscle rigidity if used alone
D. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Ketamine alone can cause excitement and muscle rigidity;
it is usually combined with sedatives for smooth induction.
6. During equine anesthesia, the ideal mean arterial pressure (MAP)
should be maintained above:
A. 40 mmHg
B. 70 mmHg
C. 90 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
Rationale: Maintaining MAP above 70 mmHg is important to ensure
adequate perfusion and prevent myopathy.
7. Which opioid is commonly used in horses for analgesia during
anesthesia?
A. Morphine
B. Butorphanol
C. Fentanyl
D. Buprenorphine
Rationale: Butorphanol is preferred in equine anesthesia due to its
, sedative and analgesic effects with minimal adverse cardiovascular
effects.
8. Which position is safest for a horse undergoing anesthesia for a
castration procedure?
A. Dorsal recumbency
B. Lateral recumbency
C. Standing sedation
D. Sternal recumbency
Rationale: Lateral recumbency is generally used for castration to
reduce risk of neuropathy and allow surgical access.
9. The minimum fasting period recommended for adult horses before
elective anesthesia is:
A. 2–4 hours
B. 6–12 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 48 hours
Rationale: Fasting reduces the risk of regurgitation and colic but
prolonged fasting should be avoided due to equine gastric
physiology.
10. Which monitoring parameter is most sensitive for early
detection of hypoxemia in anesthetized horses?
A. Heart rate
B. Blood pressure
Examination in Equine Anesthesia – 100
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which pre-anesthetic drug is commonly used in horses to provide
sedation and muscle relaxation?
A. Atropine
B. Xylazine
C. Ketamine
D. Diazepam
Rationale: Xylazine is an alpha-2 agonist widely used in horses for
sedation and muscle relaxation before anesthesia.
2. What is the primary risk associated with prolonged dorsal recumbency
in horses under anesthesia?
, A. Hyperthermia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Neuropathy and myopathy
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Prolonged dorsal recumbency can compress muscles and
nerves, leading to post-anesthetic myopathy or neuropathy.
3. Which inhalant anesthetic agent is commonly used for maintenance in
equine anesthesia?
A. Propofol
B. Isoflurane
C. Xylazine
D. Ketamine
Rationale: Isoflurane is a volatile anesthetic agent frequently used
for maintenance due to its controllability and safety profile in horses.
4. Which artery is commonly used for arterial blood pressure monitoring
in anesthetized horses?
A. Jugular
B. Femoral
C. Facial
D. Carotid
Rationale: The facial artery is superficial and accessible, making it
ideal for direct arterial pressure monitoring in horses.
,5. What is the main concern when using ketamine as an induction agent
in horses?
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Excitement and muscle rigidity if used alone
D. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Ketamine alone can cause excitement and muscle rigidity;
it is usually combined with sedatives for smooth induction.
6. During equine anesthesia, the ideal mean arterial pressure (MAP)
should be maintained above:
A. 40 mmHg
B. 70 mmHg
C. 90 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
Rationale: Maintaining MAP above 70 mmHg is important to ensure
adequate perfusion and prevent myopathy.
7. Which opioid is commonly used in horses for analgesia during
anesthesia?
A. Morphine
B. Butorphanol
C. Fentanyl
D. Buprenorphine
Rationale: Butorphanol is preferred in equine anesthesia due to its
, sedative and analgesic effects with minimal adverse cardiovascular
effects.
8. Which position is safest for a horse undergoing anesthesia for a
castration procedure?
A. Dorsal recumbency
B. Lateral recumbency
C. Standing sedation
D. Sternal recumbency
Rationale: Lateral recumbency is generally used for castration to
reduce risk of neuropathy and allow surgical access.
9. The minimum fasting period recommended for adult horses before
elective anesthesia is:
A. 2–4 hours
B. 6–12 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 48 hours
Rationale: Fasting reduces the risk of regurgitation and colic but
prolonged fasting should be avoided due to equine gastric
physiology.
10. Which monitoring parameter is most sensitive for early
detection of hypoxemia in anesthetized horses?
A. Heart rate
B. Blood pressure
