FCPS IMM Anesthesia Anaesthesia Equipment & Physics MCQs: High-Yield Practice Questions & Prep

Anaesthesia Equipment & Physics is one of the subject blocks in the FCPS IMM Anesthesia QBank. It covers breathing systems, vaporisers, pressure and flow, gas laws and monitoring equipment. Below is a sample set in the style of the bank, with the reasoning after each answer.

Sample MCQs

1. During induction of anesthesia, a patient receiving etomidate shows an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. How does etomidate primarily achieve cardiovascular stability?

• A) By activating the sympathetic nervous system
• B) By affecting the baroreceptor function
• C) Through 2-adrenoceptor activation ✅
• D) By enhancing myocardial oxygen demand

Why: Etomidate activates 2-adrenoceptors , which increases blood pressure and contributes to cardiovascular stability by preventing excessive sympathetic stimulation .

2. Which combination of ECG leads is considered the best for diagnosing intraoperative myocardial ischemia?

• A) Leads I, II, and III
• B) Leads II, V4, and V5 ✅
• C) Leads V1, V2, and V3
• D) Leads aVR, aVL, and aVF

Why: Leads II, V4, and V5 are optimal for detecting intraoperative myocardial ischemia. CARDIAC MONITORING Blood Pressure Monitoring Non-invasive: Via sphygmomanometer.

3. Nitrous oxide has a MAC of about:

• A) 105% ✅
• B) 50%
• C) 25%
• D) 10%

Why: It cannot produce surgical anaesthesia alone at normal pressure.

4. Sevoflurane degradation by soda lime produces:

• A) Carbon monoxide
• B) Compound A ✅
• C) Fluoride only
• D) Formaldehyde

Why: Compound A is potentially nephrotoxic at low flows.

5. A known case of asthmatic bronchitis was reported to the hospital with breathlessness, palpitations, and oxygen saturation of 88%. The hospital does not have a ventilator. All the following can be given to the patient, except?

• A) Hydrocortisone
• B) Theophylline
• C) Oxygen with oxygen mask, and reservoir ✅
• D) Leukotriene antagonist

Why: Bronchial asthma is an inflammatory chronic disease condition of airways that is characterized by paroxysmal wheezing, cough, and chest tightness.

6. A 65-year-old male patient is undergoing general anesthesia for an open cholecystectomy. The anesthesiologist decides to use Continuous Mandatory Ventilation (CMV). Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of CMV?

• A) It typically requires deeper sedation than spontaneous breathing modes
• B) It's useful for patients with severe respiratory failure
• C) It allows for patient-triggered breaths between mandatory breaths ✅
• D) It may lead to respiratory muscle atrophy with prolonged use

Why: Continuous Mandatory Ventilation (CMV) is a mode of mechanical ventilation where the ventilator delivers a set number of breaths per minute, regardless of the patient's own respiratory efforts.

7. What should be the next course of action in managing a 50-year-old patient who has a medical history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and is currently presenting with a feeble pulse and a blood pressure reading of 90/40 mm Hg?

• A) IV adenosine
• B) IV diltiazem
• C) DC cardioversion ✅
• D) Ibutilide

Why: Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) is likely due to the rapid heart rhythm. With the patient showing low blood pressure and a weak pulse, immediate intervention is crucial for stability.

8. Which of the following is associated with respiratory alkalosis ?

• A) Assisted control mode ventilation ✅
• B) Controlled mandatory
• C) Pressure controlled
• D) SIMV

Why: Respiratory alkalosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide levels, leading to an increase in blood pH.

9. What should be done after immediate defibrillation is performed on a young male patient who was brought to the emergency department unconscious after collapsing at a railway station, with no pulse felt and a monitor showing ventricular fibrillation?

• A) Check for a pulse
• B) Resume chest compressions ✅
• C) Epinephrine 1 mg IV
• D) Amiodarone 300 mg IV bolus

Why: Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) is a dangerous heart rhythm condition that can cause cardiac arrest. Hence, it is necessary to stop V-fib immediately to restore pulse and blood pressure.

10. What is the primary purpose of PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure) in mechanical ventilation?

• A) To increase respiratory rate
• B) To reduce carbon dioxide levels
• C) To increase the VR
• D) To open alveoli and prevent atelectasis ✅

Why: PEEP is used in mechanical ventilation to keep alveoli open at the end of exhalation, preventing them from collapsing (atelectasis).

How to Study This Block

• Learn the Mapleson systems by efficiency in spontaneous and controlled ventilation.
• Know the gas laws and the physics behind vaporisers and flow meters.
• Revise the colour coding and safety systems of gas cylinders.

Each subject in the QBank can be filtered on its own, so you can drill anaesthesia equipment & physics until your accuracy is stable. Confirm the exam format and syllabus against the current CPSP guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to memorise equations?

Know the principle behind each law and be able to apply it to a simple scenario.

Is monitoring covered?

Yes. Pulse oximetry, capnography and invasive pressure monitoring are included.

Practise With the Full QBank

The FCPS IMM Anesthesia QBank has a free trial batch in Tutor mode, subject filters and Timed mode. Related: complete exam guide, how to use recalls.