Practice Test Geeks(FANZCA) Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Practice Test
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FANZCA Clinical Pharmacology and Anesthesia Flashcards

6 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 volatile anesthetic agent has the lowest blood-gas partition coefficient, resulting in the fastest induction and emergence?

    Answer: Desflurane

    Desflurane has a blood-gas partition coefficient of approximately 0.45, the lowest among commonly used volatile agents, enabling the fastest induction and emergence.

  2. What is the mechanism of action of succinylcholine as a neuromuscular blocking agent?

    Answer: Depolarizing agonism at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

    Succinylcholine acts as a depolarizing agent by mimicking acetylcholine and persistently binding to nicotinic receptors, causing initial fasciculations followed by flaccid paralysis.

  3. Which opioid is most commonly associated with chest wall rigidity ('wooden chest syndrome') when administered rapidly in high doses?

    Answer: Fentanyl

    Fentanyl, particularly when given in large doses rapidly, is the opioid most classically associated with truncal rigidity that can impair ventilation.

  4. What is the primary reason propofol produces pain on injection when administered through a peripheral IV?

    Answer: Its lipid emulsion vehicle activates bradykinin and free nerve endings

    Propofol's lipid emulsion can activate the kinin cascade and stimulate free nerve endings in the vessel wall, causing the characteristic injection pain.

  5. Which reversal agent is used to antagonize non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers by forming a tight inclusion complex, specifically targeting rocuronium and vecuronium?

    Answer: Sugammadex

    Sugammadex is a modified gamma-cyclodextrin that encapsulates rocuronium and vecuronium molecules, providing rapid and complete reversal of neuromuscular blockade.

  6. Which local anesthetic is most associated with cardiotoxicity and has a narrow therapeutic window compared to newer long-acting agents?

    Answer: Bupivacaine

    Bupivacaine's racemic mixture has high cardiotoxicity due to its prolonged binding to cardiac sodium channels, leading to the development of single-enantiomer alternatives.