Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Certified Nurses Operating Room Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions; each accompanied by hints and in-depth explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which anesthetic agents are known for fast-acting properties?

  1. Sevoflurane, nitrous oxide

  2. Brevital, nitrous, and halothane

  3. Isoflurane, desflurane

  4. Propofol, fentanyl

The correct answer is: Brevital, nitrous, and halothane

The correct response identifies Brevital and nitrous oxide as fast-acting anesthetic agents. Brevital, or methohexital, is a barbiturate that has a rapid onset of action, making it ideal for procedures requiring quick induction of anesthesia. This characteristic allows for a swift transition from consciousness to unconsciousness, minimizing the patient's time in discomfort or anxiety before surgery. Nitrous oxide is another agent noted for its rapid effects. It is inhaled and achieves high blood levels quickly due to its low solubility in blood, allowing for rapid onset and offset of its anesthetic effect, making it particularly useful in outpatient settings or procedures that require quick recovery. Halothane, while historically used, does not have the same speed of action as the other agents mentioned with Brevital and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane and desflurane do have relatively fast properties compared to older anesthetics, but not as immediately effective as the agents in the selected response. Overall, the combination of Brevital and nitrous oxide exemplifies fast-acting anesthetics utilized for quick induction and wake-up during surgical procedures.