CRNA Certification Exam Practice Test

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Certification Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

Subjects Covered: Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, Anesthesia

Equipment, Anesthetic Techniques, Pathophysiology, Professional Issues, and Basic Sciences.

• Which of the following inhalational agents has the lowest blood/gas

partition coefficient?

• Halothane
• Desflurane
• Isoflurane
• Sevoflurane

Rationale: Desflurane has the lowest blood/gas partition coefficient, leading

to rapid induction and emergence. 1 / 4

• What is the primary mechanism of action of propofol?
• NMDA receptor blockade
• Potentiation of GABA-A receptor activity
• Sodium channel blockade
• Dopamine receptor inhibition

Rationale: Propofol enhances GABA-A receptor-mediated inhibitory

neurotransmission, resulting in sedation and hypnosis.

• Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the anterior two-thirds of

the tongue?

• Glossopharyngeal nerve
• Lingual nerve
• Vagus nerve
• Hypoglossal nerve

Rationale: The lingual nerve (branch of mandibular division of trigeminal

nerve) carries sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

• The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in adults is

approximately:

A. 0.75%

B. 2.0% 2 / 4

C. 4.5%

D. 6.0%

Rationale: MAC of sevoflurane in adults is about 2.0%, representing the

concentration needed to prevent movement in 50% of patients.

• Which of the following is an ester local anesthetic?
• Lidocaine
• Procaine
• Bupivacaine
• Ropivacaine

Rationale: Procaine is an ester; others are amide local anesthetics.

• During spinal anesthesia, which factor most significantly affects the

spread of local anesthetic?

• Injection speed
• Injection site
• Baricity of the solution
• Patient’s gender

Rationale: Baricity (density relative to CSF) is the main determinant of

spread in spinal anesthesia.

• / 4

• What is the primary determinant of cardiac output in infants?
• Afterload
• Contractility
• Heart rate
• Stroke volume

Rationale: Infants have a relatively fixed stroke volume; thus, cardiac output

is rate-dependent.

• Which of the following muscle relaxants is contraindicated in patients

with a history of malignant hyperthermia?

• Succinylcholine
• Rocuronium
• Cisatracurium
• Vecuronium

Rationale: Succinylcholine triggers malignant hyperthermia in susceptible

patients.

• Which artery supplies the posterior third of the spinal cord?
• Anterior spinal artery
• Posterior spinal artery
• Radicular artery
• Artery of Adamkiewicz
• / 4