MAC Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the MAC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📚 MAC Topics to Study (22)
✍️ Sample MAC Questions & Answers
1. Which peripheral nerve block approach provides optimal coverage for shoulder surgery?
The interscalene approach to the brachial plexus targets C5-C6-C7 roots, providing optimal coverage for shoulder and proximal arm surgery.
2. What ASA physical status classification is assigned to a patient with well-controlled hypertension and no functional limitations?
ASA II indicates a patient with mild systemic disease that does not limit functional capacity.
3. A patient with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requires what special consideration during preoperative planning?
OSA is associated with a potentially difficult airway and increased sensitivity to opioids and sedatives, requiring enhanced monitoring plans.
4. Which colloid solution has been shown in multiple randomized controlled trials to significantly increase the risk of acute kidney injury and renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients?
The CHEST and 6S trials demonstrated that hydroxyethyl starch solutions significantly increase rates of acute kidney injury and need for renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients, leading to FDA safety warnings.
5. Which induction method is preferred for a pediatric patient with a full stomach requiring emergency surgery?
Rapid sequence induction minimizes time to securing the airway and reduces aspiration risk in pediatric patients with full stomachs.
6. Which inhaled anesthetic has the fastest onset?
Desflurane has the fastest onset among common inhaled anesthetics due to its very low blood-gas partition coefficient. This low solubility means that it is minimally absorbed into the blood and tissues, allowing it to rapidly reach the brain and exert its anesthetic effects. Consequently, patients achieve anesthesia quickly and also recover rapidly once administration is stopped.