BCA Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents 2

Question 1

Which opioid has the highest lipid solubility and fastest onset among commonly used IV opioids?

Accepted Answer

Fentanyl

Answer

Fentanyl's high lipid solubility enables rapid CNS penetration and onset within 1-2 minutes.

Question 2

Ketamine's analgesic mechanism is primarily attributed to antagonism of which receptor?

Accepted Answer

NMDA receptor

Answer

Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, producing dissociative anesthesia and profound analgesia.

Question 3

Which volatile anesthetic has the lowest blood-gas partition coefficient, resulting in the fastest emergence?

Accepted Answer

Desflurane

Answer

Desflurane has a blood-gas partition coefficient of 0.42, the lowest among modern volatile agents, enabling the fastest emergence.

Question 4

What is the primary mechanism by which succinylcholine causes prolonged neuromuscular blockade in patients with pseudocholinesterase deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Inability to hydrolyze the drug in plasma

Answer

Pseudocholinesterase normally hydrolyzes succinylcholine in plasma; deficiency prevents this breakdown, prolonging blockade.

Question 5

Dexmedetomidine produces sedation primarily through agonism at which receptor subtype?

Accepted Answer

Alpha-2 adrenergic

Answer

Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that produces sedation via locus coeruleus pathways.

(BCA) Board of Certification in Anesthesiology Practice Test