NBCRNA QOTW EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1
Cricoid pressure applied during a rapid-sequence induction is CONTRAINDICATED in
which patient condition? (Select 2)
A. Cervical spine fracture
B. Gastroparesis
C. Hiatal hernia
D. Partutient at 24 weeks' gestation
Correct Answer
A. Cervical spine fracture
C. Hiatal hernia
Cricoid pressure is a technique used during rapid-sequence induction to prevent
gastric contents from entering the pharynx. Cricoid pressure is contraindicated in
patients with cervical spine fracture, active vomiting, or laryngeal fracture.
Question 2
What are potential complications of pulmonary artery catheter insertion? (Select 2)
A. Cardiac perforation
B. Left bundle-branch block
C. Mitral valve rupture
D. Pulmonary infarction
Correct Answer
A. Cardiac perforation
D. Pulmonary infarction
Page 1 of 38
,Question 3
What is one of the primary causes of upper airway obstruction in the anesthetized
patient?
A. Deviation in the nasal septum
B. Hypertrophy of the thyroid cartilage
C. Loss of pharyngeal muscle tone
D. Small mouth opening
Correct Answer
C. Loss of pharyngeal muscle tone
The musculature of the pharynx helps maintain the airway open in the awake
patient. The pharyngeal muscles relax in the anesthetized patient and can lead to
airway obstruction.
Question 4
Following denitrogenation, which local anesthetic used to perform an awake
fiberoptic intubation could potentiate a sustained oxygen desaturation from 100% to
85%?
A. Benzocaine (Hurricaine)
B. Bupivacaine (Marcaine)
C. Cocaine (Delcaine)
D. Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Correct Answer
A. Benzocaine (Hurricaine)
Benzocaine, when systemically absorbed, can produce methemoglobinemia
resulting in compromised oxygen transport and decreased oxygen saturations.
Page 2 of 38
,Question 5
Pharmacological management of thyroid storm may include: (Select 3)
A. Sodium thiosulfate
B. Sodium iodide
C. Levothyroxine
D. Hydrocortisone
E. Methylene blue
F. Propranolol
Correct Answer
B. Sodium iodide
D. Hydrocortisone
F. Propranolol
Question 6
Which symptoms are related to histamine release in the patient exhibiting an allergic
reaction? (Select 2)
A. Decreased vascular permeability
B. Increased gastric secretion
C. Tachycardia
D. Vasoconstriction
Correct Answer
B. Increased gastric secretion
C. Tachycardia
Histamine reactions are mediated by H1 and H2 receptors on target cells. The
correct answers are positive in these reactions.
Page 3 of 38
, Question 7
Which is the MOST common cause of an allergic reaction in the patient under general
anesthesia?
A. Antibiotics
B. Latex
C. Opioids
D. Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers
Correct Answer
D. Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers
While allergic reactions to latex (16.7%) and antibiotics (15.1%) are common,
neuromuscular blockers are the most common culprit, accounting for 58.2% of
allergic reactions. Allergic reactions to narcotics are rare. Most commonly seen are
signs and symptoms of histamine release.
Question 8
Fever, sore throat, excessive drooling, and a preference for sitting up with the head
extended are signs and symptoms of:
A. Croup
B. Epiglottitis
C. Laryngospasm
D. Tonsilitis
Correct Answer
B. Epiglottitis
Fever, sore throat, excessive drooling, and tripod position are all signs and
symptoms of epiglottitis.
Question 9
On the 12-lead ECG, what is the upper limit of the normal R-wave axis?
Enter your answer below as a whole number with no decimals, in degrees (°).
Correct Answer
90 degrees
Page 4 of 38
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1
Cricoid pressure applied during a rapid-sequence induction is CONTRAINDICATED in
which patient condition? (Select 2)
A. Cervical spine fracture
B. Gastroparesis
C. Hiatal hernia
D. Partutient at 24 weeks' gestation
Correct Answer
A. Cervical spine fracture
C. Hiatal hernia
Cricoid pressure is a technique used during rapid-sequence induction to prevent
gastric contents from entering the pharynx. Cricoid pressure is contraindicated in
patients with cervical spine fracture, active vomiting, or laryngeal fracture.
Question 2
What are potential complications of pulmonary artery catheter insertion? (Select 2)
A. Cardiac perforation
B. Left bundle-branch block
C. Mitral valve rupture
D. Pulmonary infarction
Correct Answer
A. Cardiac perforation
D. Pulmonary infarction
Page 1 of 38
,Question 3
What is one of the primary causes of upper airway obstruction in the anesthetized
patient?
A. Deviation in the nasal septum
B. Hypertrophy of the thyroid cartilage
C. Loss of pharyngeal muscle tone
D. Small mouth opening
Correct Answer
C. Loss of pharyngeal muscle tone
The musculature of the pharynx helps maintain the airway open in the awake
patient. The pharyngeal muscles relax in the anesthetized patient and can lead to
airway obstruction.
Question 4
Following denitrogenation, which local anesthetic used to perform an awake
fiberoptic intubation could potentiate a sustained oxygen desaturation from 100% to
85%?
A. Benzocaine (Hurricaine)
B. Bupivacaine (Marcaine)
C. Cocaine (Delcaine)
D. Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Correct Answer
A. Benzocaine (Hurricaine)
Benzocaine, when systemically absorbed, can produce methemoglobinemia
resulting in compromised oxygen transport and decreased oxygen saturations.
Page 2 of 38
,Question 5
Pharmacological management of thyroid storm may include: (Select 3)
A. Sodium thiosulfate
B. Sodium iodide
C. Levothyroxine
D. Hydrocortisone
E. Methylene blue
F. Propranolol
Correct Answer
B. Sodium iodide
D. Hydrocortisone
F. Propranolol
Question 6
Which symptoms are related to histamine release in the patient exhibiting an allergic
reaction? (Select 2)
A. Decreased vascular permeability
B. Increased gastric secretion
C. Tachycardia
D. Vasoconstriction
Correct Answer
B. Increased gastric secretion
C. Tachycardia
Histamine reactions are mediated by H1 and H2 receptors on target cells. The
correct answers are positive in these reactions.
Page 3 of 38
, Question 7
Which is the MOST common cause of an allergic reaction in the patient under general
anesthesia?
A. Antibiotics
B. Latex
C. Opioids
D. Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers
Correct Answer
D. Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers
While allergic reactions to latex (16.7%) and antibiotics (15.1%) are common,
neuromuscular blockers are the most common culprit, accounting for 58.2% of
allergic reactions. Allergic reactions to narcotics are rare. Most commonly seen are
signs and symptoms of histamine release.
Question 8
Fever, sore throat, excessive drooling, and a preference for sitting up with the head
extended are signs and symptoms of:
A. Croup
B. Epiglottitis
C. Laryngospasm
D. Tonsilitis
Correct Answer
B. Epiglottitis
Fever, sore throat, excessive drooling, and tripod position are all signs and
symptoms of epiglottitis.
Question 9
On the 12-lead ECG, what is the upper limit of the normal R-wave axis?
Enter your answer below as a whole number with no decimals, in degrees (°).
Correct Answer
90 degrees
Page 4 of 38
