Practice Test Geeks(FANZCA) Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Practice Test
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Core Knowledge and Fundamentals Flashcards

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

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  1. Which pharmacokinetic parameter best describes the relationship between drug dose and plasma concentration at steady state?

    Answer: Clearance

    Clearance determines steady-state plasma concentration because Css = dose rate / clearance, making it the primary determinant of drug exposure at steady state.

  2. A patient receives propofol via a target-controlled infusion (TCI). The Marsh model uses which variable as its primary input for volume of distribution calculations?

    Answer: Total body weight

    The Marsh model uses total body weight as its primary input, which can lead to overdosing in obese patients compared to models like Schnider that use age and lean body weight.

  3. What is the mechanism by which neostigmine reverses non-depolarising neuromuscular blockade?

    Answer: Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

    Neostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing synaptic acetylcholine concentration to competitively overcome the neuromuscular block.

  4. Which opioid receptor subtype is primarily responsible for analgesia at the spinal cord level?

    Answer: Mu (μ)

    Mu (μ) receptors mediate the predominant analgesic effects of opioids at both spinal and supraspinal levels, as well as respiratory depression and euphoria.

  5. Context-sensitive half-time differs from elimination half-life because it accounts for:

    Answer: Redistribution from peripheral compartments after infusion cessation

    Context-sensitive half-time reflects the time for plasma concentration to fall 50% after stopping an infusion, incorporating redistribution from peripheral tissue compartments which increases with infusion duration.

  6. Rocuronium at a dose of 1.2 mg/kg is used for rapid sequence intubation. Its onset is most attributable to:

    Answer: Large concentration gradient at the neuromuscular junction

    The large dose creates a steep concentration gradient driving rapid diffusion to the neuromuscular junction, achieving onset comparable to succinylcholine despite rocuronium's slower intrinsic potency.

  7. Which volatile anaesthetic agent has the lowest blood:gas partition coefficient among currently used agents?

    Answer: Desflurane

    Desflurane has a blood:gas partition coefficient of approximately 0.45, the lowest among currently used volatile agents, resulting in the fastest induction and emergence.