ASA 114 Exam Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which phase of general anesthesia is characterized by the loss of
consciousness but intact respiratory reflexes?
A. Stage I
B. Stage II
C. Stage III
D. Stage IV
Correct answer: A. Stage I
Rationale: Stage I, or induction, is the period from initial administration
of anesthetic until loss of consciousness. During this phase, the patient
may still maintain protective airway reflexes and normal respiration.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory in the central
nervous system and enhanced by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
,Correct answer: C. GABA
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor
activity, producing anxiolytic and sedative effects.
3. What is the primary site of action for inhaled anesthetics?
A. Liver
B. Cell membrane ion channels in the CNS
C. Kidneys
D. Neuromuscular junction
Correct answer: B. Cell membrane ion channels in the CNS
Rationale: Inhaled anesthetics primarily act on neuronal ion channels in
the brain and spinal cord, altering excitability and synaptic transmission.
4. Which medication is commonly used for rapid sequence induction
due to its rapid onset and short duration?
A. Diazepam
B. Propofol
C. Midazolam
D. Ketamine
Correct answer: B. Propofol
Rationale: Propofol has a rapid onset and short duration of action,
making it ideal for induction of anesthesia including rapid sequence
induction.
,5. Which physiologic change is most likely during sympathetic
stimulation?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Bronchoconstriction
C. Increased heart rate
D. Decreased blood pressure
Correct answer: C. Increased heart rate
Rationale: Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, contractility, and
blood pressure while promoting bronchodilation.
**6. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is defined as the
concentration of anesthetic that prevents movement in response to
surgical stimulus in:
A. 10% of patients
B. 30% of patients
C. 50% of patients
D. 90% of patients
Correct answer: C. 50% of patients
Rationale: MAC is the alveolar concentration of anesthetic required to
prevent movement in 50% of patients exposed to a painful stimulus.
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolism of most
intravenous anesthetic drugs?
A. Heart
B. Liver
, C. Lungs
D. Spleen
Correct answer: B. Liver
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for metabolism of most IV
anesthetic agents via cytochrome P450 enzymes.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of cardiac
arrhythmias during anesthesia?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase myocardial excitability and
predispose patients to arrhythmias under anesthesia.
9. Which agent is a dissociative anesthetic?
A. Propofol
B. Ketamine
C. Etomidate
D. Thiopental
Correct answer: B. Ketamine
Rationale: Ketamine produces dissociative anesthesia by blocking NMDA
receptors, causing analgesia and amnesia while maintaining airway
reflexes.
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf.
1. Which phase of general anesthesia is characterized by the loss of
consciousness but intact respiratory reflexes?
A. Stage I
B. Stage II
C. Stage III
D. Stage IV
Correct answer: A. Stage I
Rationale: Stage I, or induction, is the period from initial administration
of anesthetic until loss of consciousness. During this phase, the patient
may still maintain protective airway reflexes and normal respiration.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory in the central
nervous system and enhanced by benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
,Correct answer: C. GABA
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor
activity, producing anxiolytic and sedative effects.
3. What is the primary site of action for inhaled anesthetics?
A. Liver
B. Cell membrane ion channels in the CNS
C. Kidneys
D. Neuromuscular junction
Correct answer: B. Cell membrane ion channels in the CNS
Rationale: Inhaled anesthetics primarily act on neuronal ion channels in
the brain and spinal cord, altering excitability and synaptic transmission.
4. Which medication is commonly used for rapid sequence induction
due to its rapid onset and short duration?
A. Diazepam
B. Propofol
C. Midazolam
D. Ketamine
Correct answer: B. Propofol
Rationale: Propofol has a rapid onset and short duration of action,
making it ideal for induction of anesthesia including rapid sequence
induction.
,5. Which physiologic change is most likely during sympathetic
stimulation?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Bronchoconstriction
C. Increased heart rate
D. Decreased blood pressure
Correct answer: C. Increased heart rate
Rationale: Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, contractility, and
blood pressure while promoting bronchodilation.
**6. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is defined as the
concentration of anesthetic that prevents movement in response to
surgical stimulus in:
A. 10% of patients
B. 30% of patients
C. 50% of patients
D. 90% of patients
Correct answer: C. 50% of patients
Rationale: MAC is the alveolar concentration of anesthetic required to
prevent movement in 50% of patients exposed to a painful stimulus.
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolism of most
intravenous anesthetic drugs?
A. Heart
B. Liver
, C. Lungs
D. Spleen
Correct answer: B. Liver
Rationale: The liver is the primary site for metabolism of most IV
anesthetic agents via cytochrome P450 enzymes.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of cardiac
arrhythmias during anesthesia?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase myocardial excitability and
predispose patients to arrhythmias under anesthesia.
9. Which agent is a dissociative anesthetic?
A. Propofol
B. Ketamine
C. Etomidate
D. Thiopental
Correct answer: B. Ketamine
Rationale: Ketamine produces dissociative anesthesia by blocking NMDA
receptors, causing analgesia and amnesia while maintaining airway
reflexes.
