FCPS Part 1 Anesthesia MCQs by Subject: Pathology & Biochemistry

Pharmacology gets most of the attention in FCPS Part 1 Anesthesia prep, but pathology and biochemistry make up a meaningful share of the paper too. This sample is drawn from the FCPS Part 1 Anesthesia QBank.

Sample MCQs

1. Malignant hyperthermia, triggered by volatile anaesthetics and succinylcholine, is caused by a mutation in which receptor?

• A) GABA-A receptor
• B) Ryanodine receptor (RYR1) ✅
• C) NMDA receptor
• D) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

2. At the cellular level, a malignant hyperthermia crisis is driven by:

• A) Uncontrolled calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum ✅
• B) Sodium channel blockade
• C) Potassium efflux failure
• D) Mitochondrial calcium uptake failure

3. Succinylcholine can precipitate a dangerous rise in which electrolyte in susceptible patients?

• A) Sodium
• B) Calcium
• C) Potassium ✅
• D) Magnesium

4. Cardiogenic shock is characterised by:

• A) Low cardiac output with high systemic vascular resistance ✅
• B) High cardiac output with low systemic vascular resistance
• C) Normal cardiac output with low preload
• D) High cardiac output with high systemic vascular resistance

5. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is characterised by:

• A) Only widespread bleeding
• B) Only widespread clotting
• C) Widespread clotting that consumes clotting factors, leading to bleeding ✅
• D) Platelet overproduction with normal clotting factors

6. The predominant cell type in acute inflammation is the:

• A) Lymphocyte
• B) Neutrophil ✅
• C) Plasma cell
• D) Fibroblast

7. Caseous necrosis is classically associated with which disease?

• A) Tuberculosis ✅
• B) Acute pancreatitis
• C) Myocardial infarction
• D) Cerebral infarction

8. The citric acid (Krebs) cycle takes place in which cellular compartment?

• A) Cytosol
• B) Mitochondrial matrix ✅
• C) Nucleus
• D) Endoplasmic reticulum

9. The main buffer system regulating blood pH is the:

• A) Phosphate buffer system
• B) Protein buffer system
• C) Bicarbonate buffer system ✅
• D) Haemoglobin buffer system alone

10. A high anion-gap metabolic acidosis occurs because of:

• A) Loss of bicarbonate alone
• B) Accumulation of unmeasured acid anions ✅
• C) Retention of chloride
• D) Excess bicarbonate production

11. A rightward shift of the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve is produced by:

• A) Decreased temperature
• B) Decreased 2,3-BPG
• C) Increased CO2 and decreased pH (the Bohr effect) ✅
• D) Decreased CO2

12. ATP is predominantly generated via oxidative phosphorylation in the:

• A) Cytosol
• B) Mitochondria ✅
• C) Golgi apparatus
• D) Peroxisomes

Why This Pairs With Pharmacology, Not Replaces It

Our FCPS Anesthesia MCQ practice guide focuses on pharmacology and physiology mechanisms. Pathology and biochemistry round out the paper.

Preparation Notes

• Study malignant hyperthermia as one connected story: trigger → receptor mutation → cellular mechanism → consequence → treatment.
• Revise acid-base and electrolyte physiology together with pharmacology.
• Don't skip basic pathology processes just because they feel "non-clinical."

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the anesthesia paper is pathology and biochemistry versus pharmacology?

Pharmacology and clinical anesthesia carry the largest share, but pathology and biochemistry together still form a meaningful portion of the basic-sciences questions.

Should I study these as generic MBBS pathology or anesthesia-specific?

Anesthesia-specific. CPSP frames these topics through perioperative and critical-care scenarios.

Practise the Full Subject Breakdown

The FCPS Part 1 Anesthesia QBank covers pharmacology, clinical anesthesia, physiology, anatomy, physics, and this pathology & biochemistry set. The first 20 questions are free to try.