BCA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield BCA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Intraoperative EEG burst suppression is MOST commonly targeted during: → Carotid endarterectomy with cerebral protection
2. Which tool assesses patient functional status? → ASA classification
3. What lab test is essential before anesthesia? → Coagulation profile
4. In the context of BCA certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing critical care & intensive care? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
5. The MOST common indication for insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in the perioperative setting is: → Cardiogenic shock or failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass
6. What is the purpose of bag-valve-mask ventilation? → Manual ventilation
7. Large-volume infusion of which intravenous fluid is most likely to cause hyperchloremic non-anion gap metabolic acidosis? → 0.9% Normal Saline
8. What is the role of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA)? → To secure airway during anesthesia
9. The formula for Maximum Allowable Blood Loss (MABL) before red blood cell transfusion is required is: → MABL = EBV × (Starting Hct − Minimum Acceptable Hct) / Starting Hct
10. Which coagulation test specifically reflects the function of the extrinsic pathway and is used to monitor warfarin therapy? → Prothrombin Time (PT/INR)
11. During spinal cord surgery, which electrophysiological monitoring modality assesses dorsal column (sensory) pathway integrity? → Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs)
12. In the context of BCA certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing postoperative pain management? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
13. What is the recommended hemoglobin transfusion threshold for patients with stable ischemic heart disease or known cardiovascular disease undergoing surgery? → Hemoglobin > 8 g/dL
14. During craniotomy, a sudden bradycardia with hypertension (Cushing's triad) most likely indicates: → Raised intracranial pressure
15. How is cricothyrotomy performed? → Emergency incision
16. How is anesthetic metabolism primarily achieved? → Liver enzymes
17. Using the Holliday-Segar 4-2-1 rule, what is the maintenance fluid rate for a 25 kg child? → 65 mL/hr
18. In the context of BCA certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing monitoring equipment & technology? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
19. How does smoking affect anesthesia risk? → Increases complications
20. How do local anesthetics work? → Block nerve conduction
21. What is the significance of lipid solubility in anesthetics? → Increases potency
22. According to current restrictive transfusion guidelines, what is the hemoglobin trigger for red blood cell transfusion in a stable, non-cardiac patient? → Hemoglobin < 7 g/dL
23. What is a common side effect of opioid anesthetics? → Respiratory depression
24. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage during thoracic aortic aneurysm repair is used to: → Increase spinal cord perfusion pressure by lowering CSF pressure
25. Which medication is commonly used for induction of general anesthesia? → Propofol
26. Mannitol reduces intracranial pressure primarily by: → Creating an osmotic gradient that draws water from brain parenchyma
27. What is a common side effect of opioid analgesics in anesthesia? → Respiratory depression
28. During awake craniotomy for brain mapping, the anesthetic technique that best allows intraoperative neurological testing while maintaining patient comfort is: → Asleep-awake-asleep technique with dexmedetomidine/propofol
29. Which medication is the FIRST-LINE treatment for intraoperative cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)? → Nimodipine
30. Why is patient positioning important during surgery? → To prevent nerve injury and aid surgery