FMGE 2026 - Anesthesiology PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following intravenous agents is commonly used for outpatient procedures?

Propofol. ***Propofol*** - It is the **drug of choice** for outpatient anesthesia due to its **rapid onset** and short duration of action, allowing for a **rapid recovery** profile. - It possesses **anti-emetic properties** and provides clear-headed recovery, making it ideal for **day-case surgery**. *Ketamine* - It is a **dissociative anesthetic** associated with **post-operative emergence delirium** and hallucinations in adults. - While useful in emergency or pediatric settings, it causes **increased salivation** and **increased intracranial/intraocular pressure**, limiting its routine outpatient use. *Thiopental* - An ultrashort-acting **barbiturate** that was historically used for induction but has a long redistribution phase, leading to a **prolonged hang-over effect**. - Its use is largely obsolete in outpatient settings due to **cardiovascular depression** and a slower recovery compared to newer agents. *Etomidate* - Known for cardiovascular stability, but it causes **adrenocortical suppression** with prolonged infusion, making it less suitable for anything beyond single-dose induction. - Frequently associated with **post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)** and **myoclonus**, which can interfere with the immediate post-operative experience in a day-care setting. [Practice more Anesthesiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: What is the Mallampati score?

Type 1. ***Type 1*** - In this classification, the **tonsillar pillars**, **faucial pillars**, **uvula**, and **soft palate** are clearly visible, indicating an easy airway for intubation. - A **Class 1 airway** is associated with the lowest risk of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. *Type 2* - This class allows visualization of the **uvula**, **faucial pillars**, and **soft palate**, but the **tonsillar pillars** are obscured. - While generally manageable, it represents a slightly more restricted view compared to Class 1, though it is still considered a **predictive low-risk** airway. *Type 3* - Only the **base of the uvula** and the **soft palate** are visible, with the faucial pillars and tonsillar pillars hidden from view. - This indicates a potentially **difficult airway** and requires careful preoperative planning for airway management. *Type 4* - In this class, only the **hard palate** is visible, while the soft palate, uvula, and all pillars are completely obscured. - This is highly predictive of a **difficult intubation** and suggests that alternative intubation strategies should be prepared. [Practice more Anesthesiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Identify the needle shown in the image:

Tuohy epidural needle. ***Tuohy epidural needle*** - This needle features a **distal curved tip (Huber point)** which helps to deflect the **epidural catheter** cranially or caudally upon insertion. - It is specifically designed for the **loss of resistance** technique to identify the **epidural space**. *Quincke spinal needle* - Characterized by a **cutting tip** designed to pierce the dura mater during **spinal anesthesia**. - The **sharp bevel** helps to minimize force required for insertion but increases the risk of **post-dural puncture headache (PDPH)**. *Huber needle* - Originally designed with a **90-degree bend** and an **anti-coring point** for accessing **implanted ports**. - It is used specifically to prevent coring of the **silicone septum** of central venous access devices. *Veress needle* - A spring-loaded, blunt-tipped needle used during **laparoscopic surgery** to establish a **pneumoperitoneum**. - It includes a **safety mechanism** with an inner stylet that retracts when it encounters resistance and clicks forward upon entering the **peritoneal cavity**. [Practice more Anesthesiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: A patient undergoing surgery shows a sudden drop of end -tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂) to zero on capnography. What does this most likely indicate?

Embolism. ***Embolism*** - A sudden drop of **end-tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂)** to near zero is a classic sign of **massive pulmonary embolism** or **venous air embolism**, which causes a sudden obstruction of pulmonary blood flow. - This obstruction prevents carbon dioxide from reaching the lungs to be exhaled, leading to a precipitous decline in measured CO₂ levels. *Hypothermia* - Hypothermia generally results in a **gradual decrease** in ETCO₂ due to decreased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, rather than an abrupt drop to zero. - The ETCO₂ decline in hypothermia is proportional to the drop in cellular metabolism. *Hyperthermia* - Malignant hyperthermia typically causes a **rapid increase** in ETCO₂, not a decrease, due to hypermetabolism. - This rise in CO₂ is a hallmark early monitoring sign of excessive metabolic demand. *Hypotension* - Severe hypotension or low cardiac output can *reduce* ETCO₂ by limiting pulmonary perfusion, but it rarely causes a sudden drop to zero. - A sudden zero value represents a complete **mechanical disconnection** or cessation of blood flow (embolism or arrest), not simply a reduction in cardiac output. [Practice more Anesthesiology PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Which of the following intravenous agents is commonly used for outpatient procedures?

Accepted Answer

Propofol

Answer

Ketamine

Answer

Thiopental

Answer

Etomidate

Question 2

What is the Mallampati score?

Accepted Answer

Type 1

Answer

Type 2

Answer

Type 3

Answer

Type 4

Question 3

Identify the needle shown in the image:

Accepted Answer

Tuohy epidural needle

Answer

Quincke spinal needle

Answer

Huber needle

Answer

Veress needle

Question 4

A patient undergoing surgery shows a sudden drop of end -tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂) to zero on capnography. What does this most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

Embolism

Answer

Hypothermia

Answer

Hyperthermia

Answer

Hypotension

FMGE 2026 — Anesthesiology