CRNA Exam Study Guide &
Test Bank
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Academic Year:
Prepared for: CRNA Candidates | Nurse Anesthesia Students
Exam Authority: NBCRNA
Format: Multiple Choice | Scenario-Based | Calculations | Pharmacology
Overview
Total Questions: 175
• 150 Scored Questions
• 25 Pretest (Unscored) Questions
• Competency Areas:
• Basic Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology)
• Equipment, Technology, and Safety
• Basic and Advanced Principles of Anesthesia
• Professional Role
What’s Inside
Practice Questions
Detailed Rationales for Each Answer
Clinical Scenarios & Case-Based Items
Drug Calculations & Dosage Problems
Bonus: Pediatric, Obstetric, and Regional Anesthesia Questions
Updated for NBCRNA 2025 Guidelines
Topics Covered
• Anatomy & Physiology for Anesthesia
• Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents
• Airway Management & Mechanical Ventilation
• Patient Assessment & Monitoring
• Anesthesia for Special Populations (Peds, OB, Geriatric)
• CRNA Ethics & Legal Considerations
• Pain Management & Regional Techniques
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Emergency Response & Crisis Management
,Section 1: Practice Questions
Scored Questions
1. What nerve is most commonly blocked for an axillary brachial plexus block?
(a) Median
(b) Ulnar
(c) Radial
(d) Musculocutaneous
ANS: Musculocutaneous
Rationale: The musculocutaneous nerve is often the first to be anesthetized in this
block.
2. Calculate the dose of propofol (10 mg/mL) for a 70 kg patient at 2 mg/kg.
ANS: 140 mg
Rationale: 2 mg/kg × 70 kg = 140 mg; volume = 140 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 14 mL.
3. A patient exhibits shallow breathing post-extubation. What is the likely cause?
(a) Hypoventilation
(b) Hyperventilation
(c) Pneumothorax
(d) Pulmonary edema
ANS: Hypoventilation
Rationale: Shallow breathing suggests inadequate ventilation.
4. Which drug reverses benzodiazepine overdose?
(a) Naloxone
(b) Flumazenil
(c) Atropine
(d) Neostigmine
ANS: Flumazenil
Rationale: Flumazenil is a specific benzodiazepine antagonist.
5. Scenario: A 30-year-old female requires anesthesia for a cesarean section. What
agent is contraindicated?
(a) Sevoflurane
(b) Ketamine
(c) Nitrous oxide
, (d) Propofol
ANS: Nitrous oxide
Rationale: Nitrous oxide is avoided due to potential bowel expansion in pregnancy.
6. What monitors oxygen saturation?
(a) Capnography
(b) Pulse oximetry
(c) Electrocardiogram
(d) Bispectral index
ANS: Pulse oximetry
Rationale: Pulse oximetry measures SpO2 noninvasively.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with prolonged QT interval?
(a) Hyperkalemia
(b) Hypokalemia
(c) Hypernatremia
(d) Hyponatremia
ANS: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium can prolong cardiac repolarization.
8. What is the primary ethical duty of a CRNA?
(a) Cost reduction
(b) Patient advocacy
(c) Administrative tasks
(d) Research
ANS: Patient advocacy
Rationale: Advocacy ensures patient safety and rights.
9. Calculate the maintenance fluid rate for a 50 kg adult (4 mL/kg/hr).
ANS: 200 mL/hr
Rationale: 4 mL/kg/hr × 50 kg = 200 mL/hr.
10. Which crisis requires immediate administration of dantrolene?
(a) Anaphylaxis
(b) Malignant hyperthermia
(c) Hypoglycemia
(d) Seizure
ANS: Malignant hyperthermia
Rationale: Dantrolene treats this life-threatening reaction to anesthetics.
, 11. What anatomical structure is at risk during a lumbar epidural?
(a) Spinal cord
(b) Kidney
(c) Liver
(d) Spleen
ANS: Spinal cord
Rationale: The spinal cord is near the epidural space.
12. Which anesthetic agent causes the least respiratory depression?
(a) Fentanyl
(b) Desflurane
(c) Propofol
(d) Remifentanil
ANS: Desflurane
Rationale: Volatile agents like desflurane have less respiratory impact than opioids.
13. Scenario: A patient desaturates during intubation. What is the first action?
(a) Administer epinephrine
(b) Ventilate with 100% oxygen
(c) Call for help
(d) Perform a chest X-ray
ANS: Ventilate with 100% oxygen
Rationale: Immediate oxygenation is critical.
14. What drug treats bradycardia during anesthesia?
(a) Ephedrine
(b) Atropine
(c) Labetalol
(d) Metoprolol
ANS: Atropine
Rationale: Atropine increases heart rate via vagolytic effects.
15. Which monitor assesses depth of anesthesia?
(a) Pulse oximetry
(b) Bispectral index
(c) Capnography
(d) ECG
Test Bank
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Academic Year:
Prepared for: CRNA Candidates | Nurse Anesthesia Students
Exam Authority: NBCRNA
Format: Multiple Choice | Scenario-Based | Calculations | Pharmacology
Overview
Total Questions: 175
• 150 Scored Questions
• 25 Pretest (Unscored) Questions
• Competency Areas:
• Basic Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology)
• Equipment, Technology, and Safety
• Basic and Advanced Principles of Anesthesia
• Professional Role
What’s Inside
Practice Questions
Detailed Rationales for Each Answer
Clinical Scenarios & Case-Based Items
Drug Calculations & Dosage Problems
Bonus: Pediatric, Obstetric, and Regional Anesthesia Questions
Updated for NBCRNA 2025 Guidelines
Topics Covered
• Anatomy & Physiology for Anesthesia
• Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents
• Airway Management & Mechanical Ventilation
• Patient Assessment & Monitoring
• Anesthesia for Special Populations (Peds, OB, Geriatric)
• CRNA Ethics & Legal Considerations
• Pain Management & Regional Techniques
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Emergency Response & Crisis Management
,Section 1: Practice Questions
Scored Questions
1. What nerve is most commonly blocked for an axillary brachial plexus block?
(a) Median
(b) Ulnar
(c) Radial
(d) Musculocutaneous
ANS: Musculocutaneous
Rationale: The musculocutaneous nerve is often the first to be anesthetized in this
block.
2. Calculate the dose of propofol (10 mg/mL) for a 70 kg patient at 2 mg/kg.
ANS: 140 mg
Rationale: 2 mg/kg × 70 kg = 140 mg; volume = 140 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 14 mL.
3. A patient exhibits shallow breathing post-extubation. What is the likely cause?
(a) Hypoventilation
(b) Hyperventilation
(c) Pneumothorax
(d) Pulmonary edema
ANS: Hypoventilation
Rationale: Shallow breathing suggests inadequate ventilation.
4. Which drug reverses benzodiazepine overdose?
(a) Naloxone
(b) Flumazenil
(c) Atropine
(d) Neostigmine
ANS: Flumazenil
Rationale: Flumazenil is a specific benzodiazepine antagonist.
5. Scenario: A 30-year-old female requires anesthesia for a cesarean section. What
agent is contraindicated?
(a) Sevoflurane
(b) Ketamine
(c) Nitrous oxide
, (d) Propofol
ANS: Nitrous oxide
Rationale: Nitrous oxide is avoided due to potential bowel expansion in pregnancy.
6. What monitors oxygen saturation?
(a) Capnography
(b) Pulse oximetry
(c) Electrocardiogram
(d) Bispectral index
ANS: Pulse oximetry
Rationale: Pulse oximetry measures SpO2 noninvasively.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with prolonged QT interval?
(a) Hyperkalemia
(b) Hypokalemia
(c) Hypernatremia
(d) Hyponatremia
ANS: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium can prolong cardiac repolarization.
8. What is the primary ethical duty of a CRNA?
(a) Cost reduction
(b) Patient advocacy
(c) Administrative tasks
(d) Research
ANS: Patient advocacy
Rationale: Advocacy ensures patient safety and rights.
9. Calculate the maintenance fluid rate for a 50 kg adult (4 mL/kg/hr).
ANS: 200 mL/hr
Rationale: 4 mL/kg/hr × 50 kg = 200 mL/hr.
10. Which crisis requires immediate administration of dantrolene?
(a) Anaphylaxis
(b) Malignant hyperthermia
(c) Hypoglycemia
(d) Seizure
ANS: Malignant hyperthermia
Rationale: Dantrolene treats this life-threatening reaction to anesthetics.
, 11. What anatomical structure is at risk during a lumbar epidural?
(a) Spinal cord
(b) Kidney
(c) Liver
(d) Spleen
ANS: Spinal cord
Rationale: The spinal cord is near the epidural space.
12. Which anesthetic agent causes the least respiratory depression?
(a) Fentanyl
(b) Desflurane
(c) Propofol
(d) Remifentanil
ANS: Desflurane
Rationale: Volatile agents like desflurane have less respiratory impact than opioids.
13. Scenario: A patient desaturates during intubation. What is the first action?
(a) Administer epinephrine
(b) Ventilate with 100% oxygen
(c) Call for help
(d) Perform a chest X-ray
ANS: Ventilate with 100% oxygen
Rationale: Immediate oxygenation is critical.
14. What drug treats bradycardia during anesthesia?
(a) Ephedrine
(b) Atropine
(c) Labetalol
(d) Metoprolol
ANS: Atropine
Rationale: Atropine increases heart rate via vagolytic effects.
15. Which monitor assesses depth of anesthesia?
(a) Pulse oximetry
(b) Bispectral index
(c) Capnography
(d) ECG
