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Free Cer.A.T.T. Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Anesthesia Technologist (Cer.A.T.T.) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free Cer.A.T.T. practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A full nitrous oxide E-cylinder reads about 745 psi. After roughly half its contents have been used, the gauge still reads about 745 psi. What does this tell the technologist?

  1. The gauge has failed and the cylinder should be taken out of service
  2. Liquid remains, so the pressure stays constant and does not show volume
  3. The cylinder is nearly empty and must be changed right away
  4. The regulator is faulty and is over-pressurizing the supply line
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Liquid remains, so the pressure stays constant and does not show volume

Question 2

Which device is the ONLY reliable monitor of the actual oxygen concentration being delivered to the patient?

  1. The fail-safe valve, which interrupts other gases on oxygen loss
  2. The hypoxic guard, which limits the minimum oxygen-to-nitrous ratio
  3. The oxygen analyzer placed in the inspiratory limb of the circuit
  4. The oxygen flush valve, which delivers high-flow oxygen on demand
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - The oxygen analyzer placed in the inspiratory limb of the circuit

Question 3

A previously normal capnogram suddenly drops to zero with complete loss of the plateau. In a patient who was intubated and stable, the technologist should FIRST suspect:

  1. Rebreathing caused by exhausted carbon dioxide absorbent
  2. Hypoventilation produced by an inadequate respiratory rate
  3. Bronchospasm causing a sloping, prolonged expiratory upstroke
  4. A circuit disconnection interrupting gas flow to the sampling line
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - A circuit disconnection interrupting gas flow to the sampling line

Question 4

After setting up an arterial line, the technologist performs a square-wave (fast-flush) test. The tracing rings with several oscillations before it settles. This system is:

  1. Under-damped, which tends to falsely raise the systolic value
  2. Over-damped, which tends to falsely lower the systolic value
  3. Correctly damped and therefore ready for clinical use
  4. Not yet zeroed to atmospheric pressure at the transducer
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Under-damped, which tends to falsely raise the systolic value

Question 5

Shortly after induction a patient shows a rapidly rising end-tidal CO2, masseter rigidity, and rising temperature. The technologist should immediately prepare which medication?

  1. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist
  2. Dantrolene, a skeletal muscle relaxant
  3. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist
  4. Neostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Dantrolene, a skeletal muscle relaxant

Question 6

Which agent is the specific reversal drug for benzodiazepine sedation?

  1. Naloxone, used to reverse opioid effects
  2. Neostigmine, used to reverse nondepolarizing blockade
  3. Physostigmine, used for central anticholinergic effects
  4. Flumazenil, used to reverse benzodiazepine effects
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Flumazenil, used to reverse benzodiazepine effects

Question 7

Which combination of agents is MOST commonly associated with triggering malignant hyperthermia in a susceptible patient?

  1. A volatile anesthetic combined with succinylcholine
  2. Nitrous oxide combined with intravenous midazolam
  3. Propofol combined with a remifentanil infusion
  4. Ketamine combined with dexmedetomidine sedation
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - A volatile anesthetic combined with succinylcholine

Question 8

During an intravenous regional (Bier) block, the tourniquet is accidentally released only a few minutes after the local anesthetic is injected. The technologist should be prepared to help manage:

  1. A hemolytic transfusion reaction from incompatible blood
  2. Malignant hyperthermia from an anesthetic trigger agent
  3. Local anesthetic systemic toxicity from the released drug
  4. A tension pneumothorax from positive-pressure ventilation
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Local anesthetic systemic toxicity from the released drug

Question 9

During a lengthy transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a patient becomes confused and is found to be hyponatremic. This is caused by:

  1. Carbon dioxide absorbed from the insufflating gas
  2. Systemic absorption of the bladder irrigation fluid
  3. Red blood cells lost into the irrigation effluent
  4. An acute hemolytic reaction to transfused blood
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Systemic absorption of the bladder irrigation fluid

Question 10

Which organization publishes the standards governing perioperative autologous (cell-salvage) blood collection and reinfusion?

  1. CLIA, which regulates clinical laboratory testing quality
  2. TJC, which accredits hospitals against safety standards
  3. OSHA, which regulates workplace and occupational safety
  4. AABB, which sets blood collection and transfusion standards
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - AABB, which sets blood collection and transfusion standards

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