• 50 questions

CRNA Board Exam

Unofficial practice for the National Certification Examination for nurse anesthetists, weighted like its content outline.

Which bupivacaine concentration does the boxed warning say is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 42 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

Exam mode: 42 questions, 45 minutes.

More options

Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Bank checked October 14, 2026.

The real exam, as its certifying board describes it

Time limit
180 minutes
Questions
100 to 170, chosen by a computerized adaptive test; 30 of them are unscored pretest questions
Format
Multiple choice with four options, plus multiple-response, calculation, drag-and-drop and hotspot questions; no going back
Scoring
Pass or fail against a standard that the NBCRNA sets; the standard was updated on July 1, 2026
Attempts
Up to four times in each of the two years after the program is completed

Checked October 14, 2026 against NCE Handbook (version 05.03, January 2026) and NCE Resources page, nbcrna.com. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

NBCRNA's own NCE page

Next step ACLS practice testPCCN practice test

All 50 questions

Basic sciences 10

  • A patient is still apneic three hours after one intubating dose of succinylcholine. The dibucaine number comes back at 20. What does that number indicate? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Pseudocholinesterase Deficiency", Evaluation. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.C.4 Depolarizing and nondepolarizing neuromuscular relaxants and antagonists
  • A septic patient is febrile and acidotic, with a high carbon dioxide tension. What do these three changes do to the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Physiology, Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve", Clinical Significance. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.A.2 Anatomy and physiology: respiratory
  • Across which range of mean arterial pressure does cerebral autoregulation keep cerebral blood flow roughly constant? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Anatomy, Head and Neck: Cerebral Blood Flow", Structure and Function. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.A.3 Anatomy and physiology: central nervous system
Show all 50 questions (47 more)

Basic sciences, continued

  • For which of these patients is succinylcholine contraindicated on its label? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) injection, Contraindications. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.C.4 Depolarizing and nondepolarizing neuromuscular relaxants and antagonists
  • The gauge on a nitrous oxide E cylinder reads 745 psi. What does this say about the contents? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Gas Cylinders", Definition/Introduction. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.D.2.b Physics: gases and gas laws
  • Ten minutes after induction with sevoflurane and succinylcholine, which findings are usually the earliest signs of malignant hyperthermia? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Malignant Hyperthermia", History and Physical. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.B.4.a Myopathies and metabolic abnormalities (malignant hyperthermia)
  • Three minutes after rocuronium 1.2 mg/kg, the airway cannot be secured and the block must be reversed at once. Which sugammadex dose does the label give? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, Bridion (sugammadex) injection, Dosage and Administration, 2.2. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.C.4 Depolarizing and nondepolarizing neuromuscular relaxants and antagonists
  • Which bupivacaine concentration does the boxed warning say is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, Marcaine (bupivacaine hydrochloride) injection, Boxed Warning. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.C.5 Local anesthetics
  • Which set of conditions increases the breakdown of sevoflurane to Compound A in the absorber? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, Ultane (sevoflurane), Clinical Pharmacology, Compound A. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.C.2 Inhalation anesthetics
  • Why is remifentanil contraindicated for epidural or intrathecal use? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, Ultiva (remifentanil hydrochloride) for injection, Contraindications. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), I.C.3.d Opioid agonists, agonist-antagonists, and antagonists

Equipment, instrumentation and technology 10

  • A patient turns dusky during a procedure, and the co-oximeter shows a high methemoglobin level. What will a standard pulse oximeter tend to display? OpenAnesthesia (International Anesthesia Research Society), "Pulse Oximetry", Limitations. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.C.3.c Monitoring devices: pulse oximetry
  • At the end of a case the quantitative monitor shows a train-of-four ratio of 0.7. How is this read? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Neuromuscular Blockade", Monitoring neuromuscular blockade. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.C.4.a Peripheral nerve stimulator (qualitative and quantitative)
  • The first case on Monday uses desflurane on a machine whose fresh gas was left flowing all weekend. Which hazard does the desflurane label name? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, Suprane (desflurane), Warnings and Precautions, 5.5. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.A.9 Carbon dioxide absorbents
  • In the Pin Index Safety System, which pin positions belong to oxygen? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Pin Index Safety System", System Overview. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.A.1 High/low pressure gas sources
  • On the capnogram the inspiratory baseline no longer returns to zero. Which cause should be checked in the circle system? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Capnography", Clinical Significance. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.C.3.a Monitoring devices: capnography
  • What does the oxygen flush button deliver? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Anesthesia Machine", Oxygen Flush Button. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.A Anesthetic delivery systems
  • Which Mapleson circuit is the most efficient for a patient who is breathing spontaneously? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Mapleson Breathing Systems", Mapleson A. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.A.10.b Anesthetic circuits: nonrebreathing
  • Which property of desflurane explains why it has its own vaporizer design? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Anesthesia Vaporizers", Boiling Point. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.A.4 Vaporizers
  • Why is a left-sided double-lumen tube chosen for most thoracic cases? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Double-Lumen Endobronchial Tubes", Equipment. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.B.5.a Endobronchial tube: double-lumen tubes
  • Why is the oxygen flowmeter placed downstream of the other gas flowmeters? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Anesthesia Machine", Flowmeters. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), II.A.3 Flowmeters, valves, floats

General principles of anesthesia 17

  • A 3-year-old has complete laryngospasm at emergence. CPAP with 100% oxygen and jaw thrust have failed, and the IV has come out. What is the next step? OpenAnesthesia (International Anesthesia Research Society), "Laryngospasm", Treatment. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.H.3 Airway management: complications
  • A 4-month-old finished a feed of breast milk at 0600. Under the 6-4-2 fasting rule, what is the earliest time for induction? OpenAnesthesia (International Anesthesia Research Society), "NPO Guidelines", Key Points. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.D Preoperative assessment and preparation of patient
  • A 60-kg woman seizes and then becomes hypotensive minutes after a bupivacaine block. What is the first bolus of 20% lipid emulsion? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Local Anesthetic Toxicity", Treatment / Management. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.I.8 Management of complications (local anesthetic systemic toxicity)
  • A patient sues after a tooth is broken during laryngoscopy. Which four elements must the plaintiff prove in a malpractice claim? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Medical Malpractice", Functional Elements of a Lawsuit. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.B.5 Legal issues: torts
  • A thromboelastogram in a bleeding patient shows a prolonged R time. The angle and maximum amplitude are normal. Which treatment does this point to? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Thromboelastography", Results, Reporting, and Critical Findings. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.E.5 Thromboelastography
  • After a difficult intubation, sustained exhaled carbon dioxide cannot be shown on waveform capnography. What is the default action? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Difficult Airway", Confirmation of Tube Position. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.H.4 Difficult airway management
  • After three hours in lithotomy a patient cannot dorsiflex one foot. Which nerve was most likely compressed, and where? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Anatomy, Patient Positioning", Lithotomy position. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.F.3 Positioning: complications
  • Before cardiopulmonary bypass begins, which activated clotting time shows that heparin anticoagulation is adequate? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Cardiopulmonary Bypass", Technique or Treatment. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.G.1 Lab tests (blood gases, activated clotting time)
  • Compared with an adult, where does the spinal cord generally end in a pediatric patient? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Spinal Anesthesia", Anatomy and Physiology. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.I.1 Local/regional anesthetics: anatomy
  • During a colonoscopy under propofol the patient responds purposefully only after repeated painful stimulation and needs a jaw lift. Which level of sedation is this? American Society of Anesthesiologists, Statement on Continuum of Depth of Sedation, table of levels. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.J Light, moderate, and deep sedation (monitored anesthesia care)
  • During a massive transfusion the ionized calcium falls and the blood pressure sags. What is the cause? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Massive Transfusion", Equipment, adjunct medications. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.E.4 Massive transfusion protocol
  • During facial surgery under sedation, oxygen runs by open mask while the surgeon uses electrocautery near alcohol-prepped drapes. Which side of the fire triangle does the oxygen supply? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Surgical Fire Safety", Definition/Introduction. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.Q Intraoperative fire safety
  • For which patient is an interscalene block a poor choice? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Interscalene Block", Contraindications. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.I.5 Peripheral blocks
  • Two days after an accidental dural puncture, a new mother has a headache that is worse upright and better lying flat. Fluids, caffeine and analgesics have failed. What is the definitive treatment? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Postdural Puncture Headache", Treatment / Management. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.I.4 Neuraxial blocks (complications)
  • Under the ASA Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring, when must a patient's temperature be monitored? American Society of Anesthesiologists, Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring, Standard II, 2.4 Body Temperature. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.B.7 Legal issues: standards of practice
  • Which item is among the elements that must be documented for an informed consent discussion? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Informed Consent", Issues of Concern, elements of informed consent. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.B.2 Legal issues: informed consent
  • Which patient carries the highest baseline risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Postoperative Nausea", Etiology. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), III.O Postanesthesia care/respiratory therapy

Surgical procedures and special populations 13

  • A 5-week-old with pyloric stenosis has a chloride of 86 mEq/L and a bicarbonate of 34 mEq/L. When should the pyloromyotomy go ahead? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Pyloric Stenosis", Treatment / Management. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.B.1.c Pediatrics: anesthesia techniques/procedures
  • A man with a C6 spinal cord injury of five years has a cystoscopy without anesthesia. As the bladder fills he has a pounding headache, flushing of the face and a slow pulse, and his pressure is very high. What is this? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Autonomic Dysreflexia", Etiology; History and Physical. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.A.1.d Intra-abdominal: renal/genitourinary
  • A woman on a magnesium sulfate infusion for preeclampsia has lost her patellar reflexes, and her respiratory rate is 8. What should be at hand to counteract this? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, magnesium sulfate in water for injection, Warnings; Precautions. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.B.2.d Obstetrics: high-risk parturients
  • A woman with preeclampsia bleeds heavily after delivery. Which uterotonic is contraindicated by its label? DailyMed (National Library of Medicine), FDA-approved labeling, methylergonovine maleate injection, Contraindications; Warnings. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.B.2.g Obstetrics: postpartum hemorrhage
  • As insufflation begins for a laparoscopy, the end-tidal carbon dioxide falls suddenly and the blood pressure collapses. What is done first? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Carbon Dioxide Embolism", Treatment / Management. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.A.12 Robotic/laparoscopic surgery
  • At what age is the minimum alveolar concentration of a volatile anesthetic at its highest? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Minimum Alveolar Concentration", Physiological Factors. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.B.1.b Pediatrics: pharmacology
  • During one-lung ventilation, hypoxemia persists on an inspired oxygen fraction of 1.0 with the tube position confirmed. Which measure helps but makes the operation harder for the surgeon? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Lung Isolation and One-Lung Ventilation", Complications, hypoxemia. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.A.5.d Noncardiac intrathoracic: lung
  • How does the minimum alveolar concentration of a volatile agent for an 80-year-old compare with that for a 40-year-old? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Minimum Alveolar Concentration", Physiological Factors. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.B.3.b Geriatrics: pharmacology
  • In the recovery room after a thyroidectomy, a patient has a tense, swelling neck, stridor and falling saturation. What may have to be done at once? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Thyroidectomy", Complications. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.A.6.c Neck: parathyroid/thyroid
  • In which case is the risk of venous gas embolism greatest? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Venous Gas Embolism", Etiology. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.A.3.b Intracranial procedures
  • Seconds after the stimulus in electroconvulsive therapy, the monitor shows a few seconds of asystole. What causes it? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Electroconvulsive Therapy", Complications. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.A.11.b Non-operating-room anesthesia: electroconvulsive therapy
  • Which change in breathing is expected in a healthy woman at term? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Physiology, Pregnancy", Organ Systems Involved, Pulmonary. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.B.2.a Obstetrics: anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
  • Why does bipolar resection of the prostate carry less risk of TUR syndrome than monopolar resection? StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine), "Transurethral Resection of the Prostate", Equipment. Outline: NBCRNA NCE Content Outline (exams on or after January 2, 2024), IV.A.9.b Perineal and pelvic procedures: genitourinary

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the four areas of the NCE Content Outline of the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, 'for NCE exams administered on or after 1/2/2024' (https://www.nbcrna.com/docs/default-source/exams-documents/nce-resources-landing-page/nce_content_outline_2025to2026.pdf?sfvrsn=6abde65a_9, linked from https://www.nbcrna.com/students/nce-resources as the 2025/2026 NCE and SEE Content Outline; read 2026-10-14): I Basic Sciences 20%, II Equipment, Instrumentation and Technology 20%, III General Principles of Anesthesia 35%, IV Anesthesia for Surgical Procedures and Special Populations 25%. The bank holds 10, 10, 17 and 13. Every fact was read on 2026-10-14 in the public text named under the question: FDA-approved labeling on DailyMed, StatPearls chapters on the NCBI Bookshelf of the National Library of Medicine, the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring and its statement on the continuum of depth of sedation, and OpenAnesthesia summaries. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This CRNA board exam practice test has 50 questions of our own, free. The board exam is the National Certification Examination (NCE). The page is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Read the full guide

What the CRNA board exam covers

The NCE content outline for exams from January 2, 2024, read October 14, 2026, has four areas: basic sciences 20%, equipment and technology 20%, general principles of anesthesia 35%, surgical procedures and special populations 25%. This bank holds 10, 10, 17 and 13.

Timed test

The timed test asks 42 questions in 45 minutes: a quarter of the longest real exam, 170 questions in 3 hours.

A nurse anesthesia study guide, with sources

Each answer names where to check it: FDA labeling on DailyMed, StatPearls chapters on the NCBI Bookshelf, the ASA monitoring standards and sedation statement, or OpenAnesthesia.

  • For a CRNA regional anesthesia study guide, four questions here cover spinal anatomy, postdural puncture headache, the interscalene block and local anesthetic toxicity.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the CRNA board exam?

Between 100 and 170. The NCE is a computerized adaptive test: at least 70 questions on the outline plus 30 unscored pretest questions, in up to 3 hours, by the NBCRNA handbook of January 2026.

What score passes the NCE?

The test runs until it reaches a pass or fail decision against a standard that the NBCRNA sets and last updated on July 1, 2026. A candidate who fails receives scaled scores, not a count of right answers.

Is this a nurse anesthetist study guide or a test?

A test that shows its sources. The NBCRNA publishes a bibliography for the NCE, and this page does not replace it or a program's course work.

Is this an anatomy and physiology practice test for CRNA study?

In part. The outline puts anatomy and physiology in basic sciences, beside pathophysiology, pharmacology and physics. The basic sciences filter gives 10 questions, among them oxygen transport and cerebral blood flow.

Are these real NCE questions?

No. The 50 questions were written for this page from the public outline and the source each one names. No NBCRNA examination, Self-Evaluation Examination or review book was used.

More tests

Show 8 more

Browse Safety and Trades