ASA 102 Exam Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of preoperative assessment in
anesthesia?
A. To schedule surgery time
B. To determine insurance coverage
C. To evaluate patient risk and optimize medical condition
D. To assign operating room staff
Answer: C
Rationale: Preoperative assessment is performed to identify
medical risks, optimize existing conditions, and reduce
perioperative complications. It is a safety-focused evaluation
rather than administrative planning.
2. Which ASA physical status classification represents a healthy
patient?
A. ASA I
B. ASA II
C. ASA III
D. ASA IV
Answer: A
Rationale: ASA I refers to a normal healthy patient with no
systemic disease. Higher classifications indicate increasing severity
of systemic illness.
,3. Which airway device is most commonly used for securing the
airway during general anesthesia?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Laryngeal mask airway
C. Endotracheal tube
D. Simple face mask
Answer: C
Rationale: The endotracheal tube provides a secure airway,
protects against aspiration, and allows controlled ventilation
during general anesthesia.
4. Hypoxia is defined as:
A. Excess oxygen in blood
B. Low oxygen in tissues
C. High carbon dioxide levels
D. Low blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia refers to inadequate oxygen at the tissue level,
which may result from respiratory, circulatory, or hemoglobin-
related problems.
5. Which vital sign change is typically an early sign of hypoxia in
adults under anesthesia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypothermia
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to
hypoxia as the body attempts to maintain oxygen delivery.
,6. The most reliable clinical indicator of oxygenation during
anesthesia is:
A. Skin color
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulse oximetry provides continuous, noninvasive
measurement of oxygen saturation, making it the most reliable
indicator of oxygenation.
7. Which anesthetic phase occurs immediately after administration
of the anesthetic agent?
A. Recovery
B. Maintenance
C. Induction
D. Emergence
Answer: C
Rationale: Induction is the initial phase where anesthesia is
introduced and the patient transitions from consciousness to
unconsciousness.
8. What is the main purpose of preoxygenation before induction?
A. To reduce carbon dioxide levels
B. To increase oxygen reserves
C. To decrease blood pressure
D. To induce anesthesia faster
Answer: B
Rationale: Preoxygenation increases oxygen reserves in the lungs,
extending the safe apnea period during airway management.
, 9. Which medication class is most commonly used for induction of
anesthesia?
A. Antibiotics
B. Hypnotics
C. Anticoagulants
D. Diuretics
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypnotic agents such as propofol are commonly used to
induce unconsciousness rapidly during anesthesia.
10. What is the primary function of neuromuscular blocking
agents?
A. Provide analgesia
B. Cause muscle paralysis
C. Reduce anxiety
D. Increase heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuromuscular blockers prevent skeletal muscle
contraction, facilitating intubation and surgical exposure.
11. Which complication is most associated with endotracheal
intubation?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Dental injury
C. Kidney failure
D. Hearing loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Dental trauma is a known complication of intubation
due to instrumentation of the oral cavity.
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf.
1. What is the primary purpose of preoperative assessment in
anesthesia?
A. To schedule surgery time
B. To determine insurance coverage
C. To evaluate patient risk and optimize medical condition
D. To assign operating room staff
Answer: C
Rationale: Preoperative assessment is performed to identify
medical risks, optimize existing conditions, and reduce
perioperative complications. It is a safety-focused evaluation
rather than administrative planning.
2. Which ASA physical status classification represents a healthy
patient?
A. ASA I
B. ASA II
C. ASA III
D. ASA IV
Answer: A
Rationale: ASA I refers to a normal healthy patient with no
systemic disease. Higher classifications indicate increasing severity
of systemic illness.
,3. Which airway device is most commonly used for securing the
airway during general anesthesia?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Laryngeal mask airway
C. Endotracheal tube
D. Simple face mask
Answer: C
Rationale: The endotracheal tube provides a secure airway,
protects against aspiration, and allows controlled ventilation
during general anesthesia.
4. Hypoxia is defined as:
A. Excess oxygen in blood
B. Low oxygen in tissues
C. High carbon dioxide levels
D. Low blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia refers to inadequate oxygen at the tissue level,
which may result from respiratory, circulatory, or hemoglobin-
related problems.
5. Which vital sign change is typically an early sign of hypoxia in
adults under anesthesia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypothermia
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to
hypoxia as the body attempts to maintain oxygen delivery.
,6. The most reliable clinical indicator of oxygenation during
anesthesia is:
A. Skin color
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulse oximetry provides continuous, noninvasive
measurement of oxygen saturation, making it the most reliable
indicator of oxygenation.
7. Which anesthetic phase occurs immediately after administration
of the anesthetic agent?
A. Recovery
B. Maintenance
C. Induction
D. Emergence
Answer: C
Rationale: Induction is the initial phase where anesthesia is
introduced and the patient transitions from consciousness to
unconsciousness.
8. What is the main purpose of preoxygenation before induction?
A. To reduce carbon dioxide levels
B. To increase oxygen reserves
C. To decrease blood pressure
D. To induce anesthesia faster
Answer: B
Rationale: Preoxygenation increases oxygen reserves in the lungs,
extending the safe apnea period during airway management.
, 9. Which medication class is most commonly used for induction of
anesthesia?
A. Antibiotics
B. Hypnotics
C. Anticoagulants
D. Diuretics
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypnotic agents such as propofol are commonly used to
induce unconsciousness rapidly during anesthesia.
10. What is the primary function of neuromuscular blocking
agents?
A. Provide analgesia
B. Cause muscle paralysis
C. Reduce anxiety
D. Increase heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuromuscular blockers prevent skeletal muscle
contraction, facilitating intubation and surgical exposure.
11. Which complication is most associated with endotracheal
intubation?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Dental injury
C. Kidney failure
D. Hearing loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Dental trauma is a known complication of intubation
due to instrumentation of the oral cavity.
