NCCAA Certification Exam (New 2026/
2027 Update) Questions & Answers {Grade
A} 100% Correct (Verified Solutions)
Norepinephrine is converted to epinephrine in the adrenal medulla. Under normal
conditions which catecholamine comprises the majority in the adrenal medulla?
A. Epinephrine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. Tyrosine
E. None of the above - Correct answer A. Epinephrine
What is the rate limiting step in norepinephrine synthesis?
A. Dopa conversion to dopamine
B. Transportation of tyrosine into nerve terminal
C. Tyrosine conversion to dopa
D. Dopamine conversion to norepinephrine - Correct answer C. Tyrosine conversion to
dopa
,What is the first step in termination of norepinephrine actions at the receptor?
A. Metabolism by MAO in the synaptic cleft
B. Reuptake into the nerve terminal
C. Metabolism by COMT in plasma
D. Diffusion away from the receptor - Correct answer D. Diffusion away from the
receptor
Most of released norepinephrine is
A. Reuptake into nerve terminal
B. Metabolized by MAO
C. Diffused into plasma
D. Metabolized by COMT - Correct answer A. Reuptake into nerve terminal
In PACU, you are called in by a nurse to assess a 43 yr 90kg F who had a laparoscopic
cholecystectomy 45 minutes prior. Her vital signs are 130, 198/108, 98%. You receive
report that include PMH, PTSD, depression/anxiety, GERD, and asthma. The nurse
indicates that the patient arrived with vital signs at baseline (85, 120/80, 99%); however,
she was shaking and complaining of gastric pain. The nurse gave an IV med to treat the
,patient, and her shakes decreased and her pain score improved. What post operative
medication could be the cause of the hypertensive crisis?
A. Dilaudid 2mg
B. Morphine 4mg
C. Demerol 40mg
D. Fentanyl 100mcg
E. Naloxone 40mcg - Correct answer C. Demerol 40mcg
You are working on the OB floor, and one of the laboring parturition is in premature
labor. She is being treated with Yutopar. What are the possible side effects of this
medication?
A. Bradycardia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia
B. Tachycardia, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia
C. Bradycardia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia
D. Tachycardia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia - Correct answer B. Tachycardia,
hyperglycemia, hypokalemia
Which agents cross the BBB?
, A. Glycopyrrolate and Neostigmine
B. Physostigmine and Atropine
C. Pyridostigmine and Atropine
D. Glycopyrrolate and Edrophonium - Correct answer B. Physostigmine and
Neostigmine
Which of the following drugs should be avoided if possible with patients receiving
Echothiophate treatment for glaucoma?
A. Rocuronium
B. Neostigmine
C. Vecuronium
D. Succinylcholine - Correct answer D. Succinylcholine
A 80M 65kg presents for an AV graft. PMH includes HTN, CAD, IDDM, ESRD, ASTHMA.
EF 50%. Negative stress test with cardiac clearance. Preop evaluation reveals
Mallampatti 3 airway with limited mouth opening and neck extension. Pt is NPO greater
than 8 hours and states that he has not taken his "blood pressure" meds for 2 days.
2027 Update) Questions & Answers {Grade
A} 100% Correct (Verified Solutions)
Norepinephrine is converted to epinephrine in the adrenal medulla. Under normal
conditions which catecholamine comprises the majority in the adrenal medulla?
A. Epinephrine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. Tyrosine
E. None of the above - Correct answer A. Epinephrine
What is the rate limiting step in norepinephrine synthesis?
A. Dopa conversion to dopamine
B. Transportation of tyrosine into nerve terminal
C. Tyrosine conversion to dopa
D. Dopamine conversion to norepinephrine - Correct answer C. Tyrosine conversion to
dopa
,What is the first step in termination of norepinephrine actions at the receptor?
A. Metabolism by MAO in the synaptic cleft
B. Reuptake into the nerve terminal
C. Metabolism by COMT in plasma
D. Diffusion away from the receptor - Correct answer D. Diffusion away from the
receptor
Most of released norepinephrine is
A. Reuptake into nerve terminal
B. Metabolized by MAO
C. Diffused into plasma
D. Metabolized by COMT - Correct answer A. Reuptake into nerve terminal
In PACU, you are called in by a nurse to assess a 43 yr 90kg F who had a laparoscopic
cholecystectomy 45 minutes prior. Her vital signs are 130, 198/108, 98%. You receive
report that include PMH, PTSD, depression/anxiety, GERD, and asthma. The nurse
indicates that the patient arrived with vital signs at baseline (85, 120/80, 99%); however,
she was shaking and complaining of gastric pain. The nurse gave an IV med to treat the
,patient, and her shakes decreased and her pain score improved. What post operative
medication could be the cause of the hypertensive crisis?
A. Dilaudid 2mg
B. Morphine 4mg
C. Demerol 40mg
D. Fentanyl 100mcg
E. Naloxone 40mcg - Correct answer C. Demerol 40mcg
You are working on the OB floor, and one of the laboring parturition is in premature
labor. She is being treated with Yutopar. What are the possible side effects of this
medication?
A. Bradycardia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia
B. Tachycardia, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia
C. Bradycardia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia
D. Tachycardia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia - Correct answer B. Tachycardia,
hyperglycemia, hypokalemia
Which agents cross the BBB?
, A. Glycopyrrolate and Neostigmine
B. Physostigmine and Atropine
C. Pyridostigmine and Atropine
D. Glycopyrrolate and Edrophonium - Correct answer B. Physostigmine and
Neostigmine
Which of the following drugs should be avoided if possible with patients receiving
Echothiophate treatment for glaucoma?
A. Rocuronium
B. Neostigmine
C. Vecuronium
D. Succinylcholine - Correct answer D. Succinylcholine
A 80M 65kg presents for an AV graft. PMH includes HTN, CAD, IDDM, ESRD, ASTHMA.
EF 50%. Negative stress test with cardiac clearance. Preop evaluation reveals
Mallampatti 3 airway with limited mouth opening and neck extension. Pt is NPO greater
than 8 hours and states that he has not taken his "blood pressure" meds for 2 days.
