NBCRNA Exam National Board of
Certification and Recertification for
Nurse Anesthetists 2026/2027 Edition
Practice Exam for CRNA Candidates
The NBCRNA National Certification Examination (NCE) is
designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary
for entry-level nurse anesthesia practice. The NCE is a
computerized adaptive examination covering basic sciences,
equipment, anesthesia principles, pharmacology, and clinical
anesthesia practice.
Question 1
A patient is induced with propofol. What is the primary
mechanism of action of propofol?
A. NMDA receptor antagonism
B. GABA receptor potentiation
C. Dopamine receptor blockade
D. Alpha-1 agonism
Correct Answer: B. GABA receptor potentiation
Rationale: Propofol enhances GABA-mediated inhibitory
neurotransmission, producing sedation and hypnosis.
,Question 2
Which inhalation anesthetic has the lowest blood-gas partition
coefficient?
A. Isoflurane
B. Sevoflurane
C. Desflurane
D. Halothane
Correct Answer: C. Desflurane
Rationale: Desflurane's low blood solubility allows rapid
induction and emergence.
Question 3
Normal adult cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is calculated as:
A. MAP + ICP
B. MAP − ICP
C. ICP − MAP
D. MAP × ICP
Correct Answer: B. MAP − ICP
Rationale: CPP equals mean arterial pressure minus
intracranial pressure.
Question 4
,Which neuromuscular blocker is classified as a depolarizing
agent?
A. Rocuronium
B. Vecuronium
C. Cisatracurium
D. Succinylcholine
Correct Answer: D. Succinylcholine
Rationale: Succinylcholine depolarizes the motor endplate,
causing transient fasciculations followed by paralysis.
Question 5
The normal adult cardiac output is approximately:
A. 1–2 L/min
B. 3–4 L/min
C. 4–8 L/min
D. 10–12 L/min
Correct Answer: C. 4–8 L/min
Rationale: Average adult cardiac output is approximately 5
L/min.
Question 6
Which anesthetic agent is associated with bronchodilation?
, A. Ketamine
B. Pancuronium
C. Neostigmine
D. Glycopyrrolate
Correct Answer: A. Ketamine
Rationale: Ketamine produces bronchodilation and is useful in
patients with reactive airway disease.
Question 7
The primary determinant of oxygen delivery (DO₂) is:
A. Respiratory rate
B. Hemoglobin concentration and cardiac output
C. Tidal volume only
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B. Hemoglobin concentration and cardiac
output
Rationale: Oxygen delivery depends primarily on cardiac
output and arterial oxygen content.
Question 8
Which electrolyte abnormality increases the risk of ventricular
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
Certification and Recertification for
Nurse Anesthetists 2026/2027 Edition
Practice Exam for CRNA Candidates
The NBCRNA National Certification Examination (NCE) is
designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary
for entry-level nurse anesthesia practice. The NCE is a
computerized adaptive examination covering basic sciences,
equipment, anesthesia principles, pharmacology, and clinical
anesthesia practice.
Question 1
A patient is induced with propofol. What is the primary
mechanism of action of propofol?
A. NMDA receptor antagonism
B. GABA receptor potentiation
C. Dopamine receptor blockade
D. Alpha-1 agonism
Correct Answer: B. GABA receptor potentiation
Rationale: Propofol enhances GABA-mediated inhibitory
neurotransmission, producing sedation and hypnosis.
,Question 2
Which inhalation anesthetic has the lowest blood-gas partition
coefficient?
A. Isoflurane
B. Sevoflurane
C. Desflurane
D. Halothane
Correct Answer: C. Desflurane
Rationale: Desflurane's low blood solubility allows rapid
induction and emergence.
Question 3
Normal adult cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is calculated as:
A. MAP + ICP
B. MAP − ICP
C. ICP − MAP
D. MAP × ICP
Correct Answer: B. MAP − ICP
Rationale: CPP equals mean arterial pressure minus
intracranial pressure.
Question 4
,Which neuromuscular blocker is classified as a depolarizing
agent?
A. Rocuronium
B. Vecuronium
C. Cisatracurium
D. Succinylcholine
Correct Answer: D. Succinylcholine
Rationale: Succinylcholine depolarizes the motor endplate,
causing transient fasciculations followed by paralysis.
Question 5
The normal adult cardiac output is approximately:
A. 1–2 L/min
B. 3–4 L/min
C. 4–8 L/min
D. 10–12 L/min
Correct Answer: C. 4–8 L/min
Rationale: Average adult cardiac output is approximately 5
L/min.
Question 6
Which anesthetic agent is associated with bronchodilation?
, A. Ketamine
B. Pancuronium
C. Neostigmine
D. Glycopyrrolate
Correct Answer: A. Ketamine
Rationale: Ketamine produces bronchodilation and is useful in
patients with reactive airway disease.
Question 7
The primary determinant of oxygen delivery (DO₂) is:
A. Respiratory rate
B. Hemoglobin concentration and cardiac output
C. Tidal volume only
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B. Hemoglobin concentration and cardiac
output
Rationale: Oxygen delivery depends primarily on cardiac
output and arterial oxygen content.
Question 8
Which electrolyte abnormality increases the risk of ventricular
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
