Practice Test Geeks(FANZCA) Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Practice Test
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Practice and Application 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.

Read the first 7 Practice and Application flashcards as text

  1. A patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy develops sudden hypotension and raised end-tidal CO2 during insufflation. What is the most likely cause?

    Answer: CO2 embolism

    CO2 gas embolism during laparoscopic insufflation causes a characteristic rise in ETCO2 followed by a sudden fall as cardiac output drops, with concurrent hypotension.

  2. Which regional anaesthesia technique provides the best analgesia for a patient with fractured neck of femur awaiting surgical repair?

    Answer: Fascia iliaca compartment block

    The fascia iliaca compartment block reliably covers the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and partially the obturator nerve, providing superior analgesia for femoral neck fractures.

  3. In a patient with severe mitral stenosis undergoing non-cardiac surgery, which haemodynamic goal is most important?

    Answer: Avoid tachycardia to allow adequate ventricular filling

    In mitral stenosis, tachycardia reduces diastolic filling time across the stenotic valve, causing a critical drop in cardiac output and pulmonary oedema.

  4. A 70 kg adult receives 2 mg/kg propofol for induction. Their blood pressure drops from 130/80 to 70/40 mmHg. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?

    Answer: Give metaraminol 0.5–1 mg IV bolus

    Metaraminol 0.5–1 mg IV bolus is a practical first-line vasopressor for propofol-induced hypotension, restoring SVR rapidly without significant tachycardia.

  5. Which ventilation strategy is recommended during one-lung ventilation to minimise ventilator-induced lung injury?

    Answer: Tidal volume 4–6 mL/kg IBW, PEEP 5 cmH2O

    Lung-protective ventilation during one-lung ventilation uses low tidal volumes (4–6 mL/kg IBW) with moderate PEEP to reduce barotrauma and volutrauma.

  6. A patient has a plasma potassium of 6.8 mmol/L on preoperative bloods. Which ECG change is the most immediately life-threatening?

    Answer: Sine wave pattern

    A sine wave pattern on ECG represents severe hyperkalaemia with fusion of widened QRS and peaked T waves, immediately preceding ventricular fibrillation.

  7. During rapid sequence induction with suxamethonium, the patient develops masseter muscle rigidity. What is the most appropriate next step?

    Answer: Continue anaesthesia and monitor for malignant hyperthermia

    Masseter spasm after suxamethonium is a warning sign for malignant hyperthermia; the anaesthetist should maintain oxygenation, monitor temperature and ETCO2, and have dantrolene ready.