AVTAA VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
SPECIALTY EXAMINATION IN ANESTHESIA
& ANALGESIA 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
Section 1: Pharmacology (20 Questions)
1. Which of the following drug combinations is most likely
to cause severe bradycardia and second-degree AV block
in a dog?
A. Acepromazine and Glycopyrrolate
B. Dexmedetomidine and Hydromorphone
C. Ketamine and Midazolam
D. Propofol and Atropine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dexmedetomidine is a potent α2-agonist that
causes significant vagally-mediated bradycardia.
Hydromorphone, an opioid, can also cause bradycardia by
increasing vagal tone. The synergistic vagal stimulation from
,this combination frequently results in severe
bradyarrhythmias, including AV blocks. Acepromazine causes
vasodilation and reflex tachycardia, while
glycopyrrolate/atropine are anticholinergics used to treat
bradycardia.
2. A 5-kg cat requires premedication. Which drug is
contraindicated due to its potential to cause severe
hyperthermia in felines?
A. Acepromazine
B. Butorphanol
C. Ketamine
D. Xylazine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Xylazine, an α2-agonist, is known to cause severe,
life-threatening hyperthermia in cats, particularly at higher
doses. While other α2-agonists like dexmedetomidine can be
used cautiously in cats, xylazine is best avoided.
3. Which of the following properties makes Propofol an
ideal induction agent for brachycephalic breeds?
A. It provides excellent analgesia.
B. It has a rapid, smooth induction and short duration of
action.
C. It causes significant respiratory depression, allowing for
easy intubation.
,D. It is metabolized by the kidneys, making it safe for hepatic
patients.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Propofol is preferred in brachycephalics because it
allows for a rapid, controlled, and smooth induction with
minimal excitement, and its short duration means the patient
can be quickly intubated and supported if needed. It does not
provide analgesia, and its metabolism is hepatic and
extrahepatic, not renal. While it can cause apnea, this is not a
desirable property.
4. An 8-year-old Golden Retriever is premedicated with
acepromazine and morphine. 10 minutes later, the dog
begins to vomit. Which drug used in the premedication is
most likely responsible for the vomiting?
A. Acepromazine
B. Morphine
C. Acepromazine and Morphine together
D. Glycopyrrolate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is a μ-opioid agonist known to stimulate
the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), often causing nausea
and vomiting, especially in dogs. Acepromazine has anti-emetic
, properties (dopamine antagonist). Glycopyrrolate does not
typically induce vomiting.
5. A significant advantage of using Atipamezole to reverse
dexmedetomidine is that it:
A. Provides rapid, profound analgesia.
B. Can be administered orally.
C. Is a specific and competitive antagonist.
D. Has a half-life longer than dexmedetomidine, preventing
re-sedation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atipamezole is a highly specific, competitive α2-
adrenergic antagonist. It rapidly and effectively reverses the
sedative and cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine and
other α2-agonists. It does not provide analgesia; in fact, it
reverses analgesia. It is administered IM/IV, not orally, and
has a shorter half-life than dexmedetomidine, meaning re-
sedation can occur.
6. Which induction drug is contraindicated in a patient with
a history of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Ketamine
B. Midazolam
C. Propofol
D. Alfaxalone
SPECIALTY EXAMINATION IN ANESTHESIA
& ANALGESIA 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
Section 1: Pharmacology (20 Questions)
1. Which of the following drug combinations is most likely
to cause severe bradycardia and second-degree AV block
in a dog?
A. Acepromazine and Glycopyrrolate
B. Dexmedetomidine and Hydromorphone
C. Ketamine and Midazolam
D. Propofol and Atropine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dexmedetomidine is a potent α2-agonist that
causes significant vagally-mediated bradycardia.
Hydromorphone, an opioid, can also cause bradycardia by
increasing vagal tone. The synergistic vagal stimulation from
,this combination frequently results in severe
bradyarrhythmias, including AV blocks. Acepromazine causes
vasodilation and reflex tachycardia, while
glycopyrrolate/atropine are anticholinergics used to treat
bradycardia.
2. A 5-kg cat requires premedication. Which drug is
contraindicated due to its potential to cause severe
hyperthermia in felines?
A. Acepromazine
B. Butorphanol
C. Ketamine
D. Xylazine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Xylazine, an α2-agonist, is known to cause severe,
life-threatening hyperthermia in cats, particularly at higher
doses. While other α2-agonists like dexmedetomidine can be
used cautiously in cats, xylazine is best avoided.
3. Which of the following properties makes Propofol an
ideal induction agent for brachycephalic breeds?
A. It provides excellent analgesia.
B. It has a rapid, smooth induction and short duration of
action.
C. It causes significant respiratory depression, allowing for
easy intubation.
,D. It is metabolized by the kidneys, making it safe for hepatic
patients.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Propofol is preferred in brachycephalics because it
allows for a rapid, controlled, and smooth induction with
minimal excitement, and its short duration means the patient
can be quickly intubated and supported if needed. It does not
provide analgesia, and its metabolism is hepatic and
extrahepatic, not renal. While it can cause apnea, this is not a
desirable property.
4. An 8-year-old Golden Retriever is premedicated with
acepromazine and morphine. 10 minutes later, the dog
begins to vomit. Which drug used in the premedication is
most likely responsible for the vomiting?
A. Acepromazine
B. Morphine
C. Acepromazine and Morphine together
D. Glycopyrrolate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is a μ-opioid agonist known to stimulate
the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), often causing nausea
and vomiting, especially in dogs. Acepromazine has anti-emetic
, properties (dopamine antagonist). Glycopyrrolate does not
typically induce vomiting.
5. A significant advantage of using Atipamezole to reverse
dexmedetomidine is that it:
A. Provides rapid, profound analgesia.
B. Can be administered orally.
C. Is a specific and competitive antagonist.
D. Has a half-life longer than dexmedetomidine, preventing
re-sedation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atipamezole is a highly specific, competitive α2-
adrenergic antagonist. It rapidly and effectively reverses the
sedative and cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine and
other α2-agonists. It does not provide analgesia; in fact, it
reverses analgesia. It is administered IM/IV, not orally, and
has a shorter half-life than dexmedetomidine, meaning re-
sedation can occur.
6. Which induction drug is contraindicated in a patient with
a history of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Ketamine
B. Midazolam
C. Propofol
D. Alfaxalone
