Sedation & Anesthesia Pharmacology –
Complete Practice Test Bank (Verified
Questions Answers And Rationale)
2025/2026
1. Which of the following is a short-acting benzodiazepine
commonly used for procedural sedation?
A. Diazepam
B. Midazolam
C. Lorazepam
D. Chlordiazepoxide
Rationale: Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine preferred for
procedural sedation due to its rapid onset and short duration of
action.
2. Propofol is primarily used in anesthesia because it:
A. Provides analgesia
B. Has a long duration of action
C. Induces rapid hypnosis
D. Is reversible with flumazenil
Rationale: Propofol is a rapid-acting intravenous anesthetic used for
induction and maintenance of anesthesia; it does not provide
analgesia and its effects are not reversible with flumazenil.
3. Which inhalational anesthetic is associated with the least
cardiovascular depression?
A. Halothane
B. Sevoflurane
, C. Isoflurane
D. Enflurane
Rationale: Sevoflurane has minimal effects on heart rate and blood
pressure, making it safer in patients with cardiovascular compromise.
4. The mechanism of action of local anesthetics involves:
A. Enhancing GABAergic transmission
B. Blocking sodium channels
C. Stimulating opioid receptors
D. Inhibiting NMDA receptors
Rationale: Local anesthetics inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels,
preventing depolarization and conduction of nerve impulses.
5. Which opioid is most commonly used for anesthesia adjuncts due
to its short duration?
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Remifentanil
D. Methadone
Rationale: Remifentanil is an ultra-short-acting opioid used during
surgery because it allows rapid titration and recovery.
6. Which neuromuscular blocker is considered depolarizing?
A. Rocuronium
B. Vecuronium
C. Succinylcholine
D. Cisatracurium
Rationale: Succinylcholine acts as a depolarizing neuromuscular
blocker by mimicking acetylcholine, causing sustained depolarization
and muscle paralysis.
, 7. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for preoperative anxiolysis in
elderly patients due to its short half-life?
A. Diazepam
B. Midazolam
C. Lorazepam
D. Clonazepam
Rationale: Midazolam has a short half-life and is preferred for older
adults to reduce prolonged sedation and respiratory depression.
8. Which volatile anesthetic has the highest incidence of
postoperative nausea and vomiting?
A. Sevoflurane
B. Isoflurane
C. Nitrous oxide
D. Desflurane
Rationale: Nitrous oxide is commonly associated with postoperative
nausea and vomiting due to its effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
9. The primary adverse effect of propofol infusion syndrome
includes:
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Metabolic acidosis and cardiac failure
D. Bradycardia alone
Rationale: Propofol infusion syndrome is a rare but serious
complication characterized by metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis,
hyperlipidemia, and cardiac failure.
10. Which anesthetic agent is contraindicated in patients with a
history of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Propofol
Complete Practice Test Bank (Verified
Questions Answers And Rationale)
2025/2026
1. Which of the following is a short-acting benzodiazepine
commonly used for procedural sedation?
A. Diazepam
B. Midazolam
C. Lorazepam
D. Chlordiazepoxide
Rationale: Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine preferred for
procedural sedation due to its rapid onset and short duration of
action.
2. Propofol is primarily used in anesthesia because it:
A. Provides analgesia
B. Has a long duration of action
C. Induces rapid hypnosis
D. Is reversible with flumazenil
Rationale: Propofol is a rapid-acting intravenous anesthetic used for
induction and maintenance of anesthesia; it does not provide
analgesia and its effects are not reversible with flumazenil.
3. Which inhalational anesthetic is associated with the least
cardiovascular depression?
A. Halothane
B. Sevoflurane
, C. Isoflurane
D. Enflurane
Rationale: Sevoflurane has minimal effects on heart rate and blood
pressure, making it safer in patients with cardiovascular compromise.
4. The mechanism of action of local anesthetics involves:
A. Enhancing GABAergic transmission
B. Blocking sodium channels
C. Stimulating opioid receptors
D. Inhibiting NMDA receptors
Rationale: Local anesthetics inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels,
preventing depolarization and conduction of nerve impulses.
5. Which opioid is most commonly used for anesthesia adjuncts due
to its short duration?
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Remifentanil
D. Methadone
Rationale: Remifentanil is an ultra-short-acting opioid used during
surgery because it allows rapid titration and recovery.
6. Which neuromuscular blocker is considered depolarizing?
A. Rocuronium
B. Vecuronium
C. Succinylcholine
D. Cisatracurium
Rationale: Succinylcholine acts as a depolarizing neuromuscular
blocker by mimicking acetylcholine, causing sustained depolarization
and muscle paralysis.
, 7. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for preoperative anxiolysis in
elderly patients due to its short half-life?
A. Diazepam
B. Midazolam
C. Lorazepam
D. Clonazepam
Rationale: Midazolam has a short half-life and is preferred for older
adults to reduce prolonged sedation and respiratory depression.
8. Which volatile anesthetic has the highest incidence of
postoperative nausea and vomiting?
A. Sevoflurane
B. Isoflurane
C. Nitrous oxide
D. Desflurane
Rationale: Nitrous oxide is commonly associated with postoperative
nausea and vomiting due to its effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
9. The primary adverse effect of propofol infusion syndrome
includes:
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Metabolic acidosis and cardiac failure
D. Bradycardia alone
Rationale: Propofol infusion syndrome is a rare but serious
complication characterized by metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis,
hyperlipidemia, and cardiac failure.
10. Which anesthetic agent is contraindicated in patients with a
history of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Propofol
