NBCRNA EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE LATEST 2026 TEST BANK
COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES) GRADED
A+ |NBCRNA EXAM PREP (LATEST UPDATE!!)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY ................... Questions 1–50
SECTION 2: PHARMACOLOGY ............................ Questions 51–100
SECTION 3: ANESTHESIA EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY ....... Questions 101–130
SECTION 4: CLINICAL ANESTHESIA ..................... Questions 131–180
SECTION 5: OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA .................... Questions 181–210
SECTION 6: PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA .................... Questions 211–230
SECTION 7: CARDIAC ANESTHESIA ...................... Questions 231–250
SECTION 1: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–50)
Question 1
During surgery for a laparoscopic fundoplication, the patient becomes hypoxic
and hypotensive upon insufflation. What should be the first course of action?
A) Administer ephedrine
B) Administer rocuronium
C) Remove the pneumoperitoneum
D) Withdraw the ETT
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The signs demonstrate a restrictive lung issue related to increased
peak inspiratory pressure. The likely cause is carbon dioxide tracking around
the aortic, caval, and esophageal hiatuses. If it were an improperly placed
endotracheal tube, such as a mainstream intubation, the ETCO2 would be
expected
to decrease. The hypotension would be a result of decreased preload, so
ephedrine would not be of benefit. Administration of paralytics would not treat
1
,the cause.
Question 2
The effects of carcinoid syndrome are related to the release of?
A) Choline acetyltransferase
B) Histamine
C) Parathyroid hormone
D) Serotonin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Carcinoid syndrome is caused by the release of vasoactive substances
from neuroendocrine tumors, primarily serotonin (5‑HT), but also histamine,
bradykinin, and prostaglandins. The classic symptoms include flushing,
diarrhea, wheezing, and right‑sided cardiac valvular lesions. Serotonin is the
key mediator; histamine plays a lesser role. Choline acetyltransferase is
involved in acetylcholine synthesis, and parathyroid hormone is unrelated.
Question 3
Which of the following is the primary neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular
junction?
A) Norepinephrine
B) Dopamine
C) Acetylcholine
D) Gamma‑aminobutyric acid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter at the skeletal
2
,neuromuscular junction. It is released from presynaptic motor nerve terminals,
binds to nicotinic receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, and initiates muscle
contraction. Norepinephrine and dopamine are catecholamines involved in the
autonomic nervous system, and GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in
the CNS.
Question 4
What is the normal resting membrane potential of a nerve cell?
A) –90 mV
B) –70 mV
C) –55 mV
D) +30 mV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is
approximately –70 mV (inside relative to outside). This is maintained by the
sodium‑potassium pump and the differential permeability of the membrane to
potassium and sodium ions. Skeletal muscle cells have a resting potential
around –90 mV (choice A), while –55 mV is the threshold for action potential
generation, and +30 mV is the peak of the action potential.
Question 5
Which cranial nerve is responsible for innervation of the diaphragm?
A) Vagus nerve (CN X)
B) Phrenic nerve (C3–C5)
C) Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)
D) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
3
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The diaphragm is innervated by the phrenic nerve, which arises from
the cervical plexus (roots C3, C4, and C5). The vagus nerve provides
parasympathetic innervation to the thoracic and abdominal viscera. The spinal
accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, and
the hypoglossal nerve innervates the muscles of the tongue.
Question 6
What is the primary determinant of cerebral blood flow?
A) Cardiac output
B) Mean arterial pressure
C) PaCO2
D) PaO2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is most strongly influenced by PaCO2.
Within the normal physiological range, CBF changes approximately 1–2
mL/100g/min
for each mmHg change in PaCO2. Hypercapnia causes vasodilation and increased
CBF, while hypocapnia causes vasoconstriction and decreased CBF. Mean arterial
pressure affects CBF only when autoregulation is impaired. PaO2 has a lesser
effect unless severe hypoxia occurs.
Question 7
The Foramen of Monro connects which two structures?
A) Lateral ventricle and third ventricle
B) Third ventricle and fourth ventricle
4
COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES) GRADED
A+ |NBCRNA EXAM PREP (LATEST UPDATE!!)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY ................... Questions 1–50
SECTION 2: PHARMACOLOGY ............................ Questions 51–100
SECTION 3: ANESTHESIA EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY ....... Questions 101–130
SECTION 4: CLINICAL ANESTHESIA ..................... Questions 131–180
SECTION 5: OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA .................... Questions 181–210
SECTION 6: PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA .................... Questions 211–230
SECTION 7: CARDIAC ANESTHESIA ...................... Questions 231–250
SECTION 1: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–50)
Question 1
During surgery for a laparoscopic fundoplication, the patient becomes hypoxic
and hypotensive upon insufflation. What should be the first course of action?
A) Administer ephedrine
B) Administer rocuronium
C) Remove the pneumoperitoneum
D) Withdraw the ETT
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The signs demonstrate a restrictive lung issue related to increased
peak inspiratory pressure. The likely cause is carbon dioxide tracking around
the aortic, caval, and esophageal hiatuses. If it were an improperly placed
endotracheal tube, such as a mainstream intubation, the ETCO2 would be
expected
to decrease. The hypotension would be a result of decreased preload, so
ephedrine would not be of benefit. Administration of paralytics would not treat
1
,the cause.
Question 2
The effects of carcinoid syndrome are related to the release of?
A) Choline acetyltransferase
B) Histamine
C) Parathyroid hormone
D) Serotonin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Carcinoid syndrome is caused by the release of vasoactive substances
from neuroendocrine tumors, primarily serotonin (5‑HT), but also histamine,
bradykinin, and prostaglandins. The classic symptoms include flushing,
diarrhea, wheezing, and right‑sided cardiac valvular lesions. Serotonin is the
key mediator; histamine plays a lesser role. Choline acetyltransferase is
involved in acetylcholine synthesis, and parathyroid hormone is unrelated.
Question 3
Which of the following is the primary neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular
junction?
A) Norepinephrine
B) Dopamine
C) Acetylcholine
D) Gamma‑aminobutyric acid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter at the skeletal
2
,neuromuscular junction. It is released from presynaptic motor nerve terminals,
binds to nicotinic receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, and initiates muscle
contraction. Norepinephrine and dopamine are catecholamines involved in the
autonomic nervous system, and GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in
the CNS.
Question 4
What is the normal resting membrane potential of a nerve cell?
A) –90 mV
B) –70 mV
C) –55 mV
D) +30 mV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is
approximately –70 mV (inside relative to outside). This is maintained by the
sodium‑potassium pump and the differential permeability of the membrane to
potassium and sodium ions. Skeletal muscle cells have a resting potential
around –90 mV (choice A), while –55 mV is the threshold for action potential
generation, and +30 mV is the peak of the action potential.
Question 5
Which cranial nerve is responsible for innervation of the diaphragm?
A) Vagus nerve (CN X)
B) Phrenic nerve (C3–C5)
C) Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)
D) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
3
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The diaphragm is innervated by the phrenic nerve, which arises from
the cervical plexus (roots C3, C4, and C5). The vagus nerve provides
parasympathetic innervation to the thoracic and abdominal viscera. The spinal
accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, and
the hypoglossal nerve innervates the muscles of the tongue.
Question 6
What is the primary determinant of cerebral blood flow?
A) Cardiac output
B) Mean arterial pressure
C) PaCO2
D) PaO2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is most strongly influenced by PaCO2.
Within the normal physiological range, CBF changes approximately 1–2
mL/100g/min
for each mmHg change in PaCO2. Hypercapnia causes vasodilation and increased
CBF, while hypocapnia causes vasoconstriction and decreased CBF. Mean arterial
pressure affects CBF only when autoregulation is impaired. PaO2 has a lesser
effect unless severe hypoxia occurs.
Question 7
The Foramen of Monro connects which two structures?
A) Lateral ventricle and third ventricle
B) Third ventricle and fourth ventricle
4
