Practice Test Geeks(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test
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Pharmacology Fundamentals Flashcards

7 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Pharmacology Fundamentals flashcards as text

  1. Neostigmine reverses neuromuscular blockade primarily by:

    Answer: Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, increasing ACh at the neuromuscular junction

    Neostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, preventing ACh breakdown and increasing its concentration to compete with nondepolarizing NMBAs.

  2. Dexmedetomidine produces its sedative and analgesic effects primarily through:

    Answer: Agonism at central alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the locus coeruleus

    Dexmedetomidine acts on alpha-2 receptors in the locus coeruleus to reduce noradrenergic output, producing sedation and analgesia without respiratory depression.

  3. Which statement about ketamine is correct regarding its cardiovascular effects?

    Answer: It indirectly stimulates the cardiovascular system by increasing sympathetic tone

    Ketamine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing catecholamine release, which raises heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output.

  4. A patient develops prolonged neuromuscular blockade after succinylcholine. The most likely cause is:

    Answer: Pseudocholinesterase deficiency

    Pseudocholinesterase (plasma cholinesterase) is responsible for metabolizing succinylcholine; deficiency or atypical enzyme variants dramatically prolong its duration.

  5. Propofol's antiemetic properties are thought to be due to:

    Answer: Inhibition of dopamine release in the chemoreceptor trigger zone

    Propofol inhibits dopaminergic transmission in the chemoreceptor trigger zone, contributing to its antiemetic properties.

  6. The Hofmann elimination pathway is clinically relevant for which neuromuscular blocking agent?

    Answer: Cisatracurium

    Cisatracurium undergoes Hofmann elimination (spontaneous pH- and temperature-dependent degradation) independent of organ function, making it useful in hepatic and renal failure.

  7. Which factor most increases the risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)?

    Answer: Inadvertent intravascular injection

    Inadvertent intravascular injection rapidly delivers a large dose directly to the systemic circulation, bypassing tissue uptake and causing LAST.