VTNE Practice Test

VTNE Anesthesia Practice Questions

Anesthesia makes up 7 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest VTNE practice test. Here are 10 of the 28 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.

Updated 2026-11-10 by the Tigertest team. Based on the AAVSB VTNE content outline approved March 2023. The real exam passes on a scaled score of 425; 70% here is a practice target.

1. 1. A healthy 2-year-old dog presented for an elective ovariohysterectomy is assigned which ASA physical status?

   • A.ASA IV
   • B.ASA I
   • C.ASA II
   • D.ASA III

   Answer: B. ASA I is a healthy patient with no systemic disease. ASA II is mild systemic disease (an older or obese patient), ASA III severe systemic disease, and ASA IV severe disease that is a constant threat to life.

2. 2. Which species is typically not fasted before anesthesia because it cannot vomit and needs continuous gut motility?

   • A.Ferret
   • B.Sheep
   • C.Horse
   • D.Rabbit

   Answer: D. Rabbits and guinea pigs cannot vomit, and withholding food risks gut stasis and hypoglycemia, so fasting is minimal or none. Horses also cannot vomit but are still fasted, ferrets are fasted briefly, and sheep are fasted to limit bloat and regurgitation.

3. 3. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of an inhalant is the concentration at which:

   • A.50% of patients do not move to a painful stimulus
   • B.Half of patients stop breathing spontaneously
   • C.95% of patients do not move to a painful stimulus
   • D.All patients lose the palpebral reflex

   Answer: A. MAC is the alveolar concentration that prevents purposeful movement in response to a standard painful stimulus in 50% of patients. Surgical anesthesia usually needs about 1.3 to 1.5 times MAC.

4. 4. The MAC of isoflurane in the dog is approximately:

   • A.2.4%
   • B.3.5%
   • C.1.3%
   • D.0.7%

   Answer: C. Isoflurane MAC is about 1.3% in dogs and 1.6% in cats, so a maintenance vaporizer setting is often 1.5 to 2%. Sevoflurane's MAC is higher, about 2.4%, which is why its vaporizer is set higher.

5. 5. An inhalant with a lower blood:gas partition coefficient produces:

   • A.Greater analgesic potency
   • B.Less respiratory depression
   • C.Faster induction and recovery
   • D.Slower induction and recovery

   Answer: C. Low blood solubility means alveolar and brain concentrations change quickly, so sevoflurane (0.68) acts and wears off faster than isoflurane (1.4). Potency is described by MAC, not by solubility.

6. 6. Which induction agent is a dissociative that leaves the eyes open and partly preserves laryngeal reflexes?

   • A.Ketamine
   • B.Alfaxalone
   • C.Etomidate
   • D.Propofol

   Answer: A. Ketamine produces a cataleptic state with central open eyes, muscle rigidity and retained reflexes, so it is paired with a benzodiazepine or alpha-2 agonist. Propofol, alfaxalone and etomidate are hypnotics that relax the jaw and close the eyes.

7. 7. Which adverse effect is most common immediately after a rapid IV bolus of propofol?

   • A.Seizures
   • B.Vomiting
   • C.Tachycardia
   • D.Apnea

   Answer: D. Propofol given quickly causes transient apnea and hypotension, so it is given slowly to effect with oxygen and intubation ready. It also lacks analgesia, so it is paired with an analgesic.

8. 8. Which drug reverses the sedation of dexmedetomidine?

   • A.Neostigmine
   • B.Atipamezole
   • C.Naloxone
   • D.Flumazenil

   Answer: B. Atipamezole is the alpha-2 antagonist for dexmedetomidine and medetomidine. Naloxone reverses opioids, flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, and neostigmine reverses nondepolarizing muscle relaxants.

9. 9. Anticholinergics such as atropine or glycopyrrolate are given before anesthesia to:

   • A.Lower arterial blood pressure
   • B.Raise heart rate, dry secretions
   • C.Provide analgesia and sedation
   • D.Relax skeletal muscle tone

   Answer: B. Anticholinergics block vagal tone, which prevents bradycardia and reduces salivary and airway secretions. They give no sedation or analgesia and tend to raise rather than lower blood pressure.

10. 10. A non-rebreathing circuit such as a Bain is generally chosen for patients weighing:

    • A.Between 15 and 30 kg
    • B.More than about 30 kg
    • C.Between 7 and 15 kg
    • D.Less than about 7 kg

    Answer: D. Non-rebreathing circuits have little resistance and no valves, which suits small patients; most references put the cutoff at 5 to 7 kg. Larger patients go on a circle (rebreathing) system with a CO2 absorbent.