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Key Facts: CNCA Anestesiología Exam

29 Aug 2026

2026 certification exam date (results published 11 Sep 2026)

CNCA Convocatoria Agosto 2026

3 hours

Exam session duration

CNCA Convocatoria Agosto 2026

MXN 4,000

Registration fee

CNCA Convocatoria Agosto 2026

3 cities

Testing venues (CDMX ANUIES, Mérida, Monterrey)

CNCA Convocatoria Agosto 2026

5 years

Certification validity period under CONACEM

CNCA / CONACEM Guidelines

The CNCA certification exam is the CONACEM-recognized board certification exam for anesthesiology in Mexico: a 3-hour computer-based exam held at ANUIES CDMX, Mérida, and Monterrey evaluating clinical anesthesia, pharmacology, and patient safety.

Sample CNCA Anestesiología Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CNCA Anestesiología exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 104+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which physiological or pharmacological factor results in a decreased Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) of volatile anesthetics?
A.Advanced chronological age
B.Chronic excessive alcohol consumption
C.Symptomatic systemic hyperthermia
D.Hypernatremia above 150 mEq/L
Explanation: MAC decreases predictably with advancing age (by approximately 6% per decade after 40 years). Other factors decreasing MAC include acute alcohol ingestion, hypothermia, pregnancy, hypoxemia, hypotension, and co-administration of opioids, sedatives, or alpha-2 agonists.
2A 45-year-old patient undergoes general inhalation anesthesia. Which volatile anesthetic agent has the lowest blood:gas partition coefficient, enabling the most rapid alveolar wash-in (FA/FI) and fastest post-anesthetic emergence?
A.Isoflurane (blood:gas coefficient 1.40)
B.Desflurane (blood:gas coefficient 0.42)
C.Sevoflurane (blood:gas coefficient 0.65)
D.Halothane (blood:gas coefficient 2.50)
Explanation: Desflurane possesses the lowest blood:gas solubility coefficient (0.42) among volatile halogenated ethers, which minimizes blood uptake and allows rapid rise in alveolar partial pressure (FA/FI), leading to prompt induction and ultra-rapid emergence regardless of duration.
3Nitrous oxide (N2O) is 34 times more soluble in blood than nitrogen. In which clinical scenario is the administration of nitrous oxide strictly contraindicated due to rapid expansion of compliant closed air spaces?
A.Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with low pneumoperitoneum pressure
B.Diagnostic knee arthroscopy under general endotracheal anesthesia
C.Traumatic pneumothorax prior to chest tube thoracostomy
D.Short superficial soft-tissue lipoma excision on the upper extremity
Explanation: Because nitrous oxide diffuses into closed gas cavities far more rapidly than nitrogen can diffuse out, closed air spaces (such as a pneumothorax, bowel obstruction, air embolism, middle ear, or intracranial air) rapidly expand in volume and pressure. In an un-drained pneumothorax, N2O can quickly transform a simple pneumothorax into a fatal tension pneumothorax.
4Degradation of sevoflurane by strong base carbon dioxide absorbents (such as barium hydroxide lime or soda lime) generates the nephrotoxic haloalkene Compound A. What is the standard perioperative clinical practice to prevent toxic accumulation of Compound A?
A.Maintain fresh gas flows below 0.5 L/min with desflurane only
B.Routinely administer intravenous mannitol prior to volatile agent induction
C.Preheat the absorbent canister to temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius
D.Avoid fresh gas flows less than 1 to 2 L/min during sevoflurane anesthesia
Explanation: Compound A is produced when sevoflurane reacts with dry or strong-base alkaline absorbents (potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide). Formation is favored by low fresh gas flows, high absorbent temperatures, and desiccated absorbents. Standard clinical practice mandates using fresh gas flows of at least 1 to 2 L/min during sevoflurane delivery to prevent rebreathing and accumulation of Compound A.
5Carbon monoxide (CO) production within the anesthetic breathing circuit results from the interaction of volatile halogenated anesthetics with desiccated CO2 absorbents containing strong bases (KOH/NaOH). Which volatile anesthetic produces the highest concentrations of carbon monoxide under these desiccated conditions?
A.Sevoflurane
B.Desflurane
C.Halothane
D.Methoxyflurane
Explanation: The magnitude of carbon monoxide production from degraded volatile anesthetics in desiccated alkaline absorbent follows the order: Desflurane >= Enflurane > Isoflurane >> Halothane = Sevoflurane. Desflurane contains a difluoromethoxy group that readily degrades to form substantial concentrations of CO when exposed to completely dried barium hydroxide lime or soda lime.
6A 28-year-old head trauma patient in the intensive care unit has been receiving a continuous propofol infusion at 85 mcg/kg/min for 60 hours. The team notes progressive refractory metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, rhabdomyolysis, hypertriglyceridemia, and Brugada-like ST elevation on the ECG. What is the diagnosis and immediate management?
A.Malignant hyperthermia; administer intravenous dantrolene sodium immediately
B.Neuroleptic malignant syndrome; administer oral bromocriptine through a nasogastric tube
C.Propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS); discontinue propofol and initiate hemodynamic and renal support
D.Local anesthetic systemic toxicity; initiate intravenous 20% lipid emulsion infusion
Explanation: Propofol Infusion Syndrome (PRIS) is a lethal complication typically associated with prolonged (>48 h) high-dose (>4-5 mg/kg/h or >67-83 mcg/kg/min) propofol infusions. It features severe lactic metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, hepatomegaly, renal failure, and cardiac arrhythmias or refractory myocardial failure. Treatment is immediate cessation of propofol, supportive care, and hemodialysis/ECMO as needed.
7Etomidate is frequently selected for rapid sequence induction in hemodynamically unstable patients because of its minimal effect on myocardial contractility and vascular tone. Which endocrine side effect occurs characteristically even after a single induction dose of etomidate?
A.Acute stimulation of thyroid hormone release causing thyrotoxicosis
B.Severe inhibition of insulin secretion resulting in diabetic ketoacidosis
C.Direct blockade of parathyroid hormone leading to acute hypocalcemia
D.Dose-dependent inhibition of 11-beta-hydroxylase causing transient adrenocortical suppression
Explanation: Etomidate reversibly inhibits the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxylase (which converts 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol and 11-deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone) in the adrenal cortex. A single induction dose (0.3 mg/kg) produces adrenocortical suppression lasting 6 to 24 hours, blunting the normal stress-induced cortisol surge.
8A 32-year-old patient with severe acute status asthmaticus requires emergency intubation. Why is ketamine considered the intravenous induction agent of choice in this clinical setting?
A.It causes direct bronchodilation and preserves functional residual capacity via sympathetic stimulation
B.It acts as a potent histamine releaser that enhances mucociliary clearance
C.It completely abolishes laryngeal protective reflexes without altering vascular resistance
D.It causes profound systemic parasympathetic activation leading to airway drying
Explanation: Ketamine is a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist that produces dissociative anesthesia. It induces endogenous catecholamine release, which stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors and exerts direct relaxant effects on bronchial smooth muscle, making it the ideal induction agent for severe bronchospasm and asthma.
9Dexmedetomidine produces conscious sedation and analgesia without clinically significant respiratory depression. What is its primary pharmacological mechanism of action and anatomical site of sedation?
A.Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors in the cerebral cortex
B.Competitive antagonism of mu-opioid receptors in the dorsal horn
C.Selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonism in the locus coeruleus
D.Irreversible inhibition of central acetylcholinesterase in the hippocampus
Explanation: Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist (alpha-2:alpha-1 selectivity ratio ~1600:1). Its sedative and hypnotic actions arise from activating postsynaptic and presynaptic alpha-2 receptors in the locus coeruleus of the brainstem, mimicking natural non-REM sleep with minimal respiratory depression.
10A 52-year-old patient undergoing craniotomy receives a continuous infusion of remifentanil for 8 hours. Why does remifentanil maintain a short context-sensitive half-time of approximately 3 to 4 minutes regardless of the duration of infusion?
A.Extensive saturable binding to circulating alpha-1-acid glycoprotein
B.Rapid glucuronidation by hepatic uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT2B7)
C.Exclusive pulmonary first-pass uptake and immediate alveolar exhalation
D.Rapid hydrolysis by non-specific plasma and tissue esterases into an inactive metabolite
Explanation: Remifentanil is uniquely structured with an ester linkage that undergoes ultra-rapid hydrolysis by non-specific blood and tissue esterases into remifentanil acid (which is 1/4600th as potent). Because clearance is independent of hepatic or renal clearance mechanisms and occurs directly in blood and tissues, its context-sensitive half-time remains 3-4 minutes even after prolonged infusion.

About the CNCA Anestesiología Exam

Independent CNCA anesthesiology certification study practice by OpenExamPrep. The official examination administered by the Consejo Nacional de Certificación en Anestesiología, A.C. (CNCA) under CONACEM idoneidad is a computer-based assessment conducted at designated university venues in Mexico City (ANUIES), Mérida, and Monterrey. This bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation built from the CNCA Guía temática (itself modified from the PUEM) and Mexican Official Norms such as NOM-006-SSA3-2011; it is not an official exam paper, translation, or simulation of the Spanish-language exam.

Exam sponsor: Consejo Nacional de Certificación en Anestesiología, A.C. (CNCA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Single in-person computer-based examination lasting three hours, taken in a morning or afternoon shift. Its scope follows the CNCA Guía temática de estudio (modified from the PUEM): basic topics, comprehensive anesthetic care, anesthesia in core specialties, anesthesia in specific specialties and conditions, professionalism, and selected topics. Item count and pass mark are not published.

Time Limit

3 hours (single assigned shift: morning or afternoon)

Passing Score

not-published

Exam / Certification Fees

MXN 4,000 (convocatoria agosto 2026)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Guía temática chapter (weight not published)

1. Temas básicos de anestesiología

Physics and chemistry of anesthesia, applied anatomy and physiology, pharmacology of inhaled and intravenous anesthetics, opioids, neuromuscular blockers and local anesthetics, monitoring, equipment, CPR and safety

Guía temática chapter (weight not published)

2. Atención anestésica integral

Airway assessment and the difficult airway, sedation and general and regional (neuraxial and peripheral) techniques, pre-anesthetic evaluation, intraoperative and post-anesthetic care, and acute and chronic pain

Guía temática chapter (weight not published)

3. Anestesia en especialidades troncales

General surgery, gynecology, obstetrics (spinal hypotension, hemorrhage, preeclampsia), pediatric and geriatric anesthesia, and respiratory therapy

Guía temática chapter (weight not published)

4. Anestesia en especialidades y condiciones específicas

Neuroanesthesia, thoracic anesthesia and one-lung ventilation, the cardiac patient for noncardiac surgery, burns, polytrauma, transplantation and the critically ill patient

Guía temática chapter (weight not published)

5. Profesionalismo en anestesia

Bioethics, informed consent and the values of the specialty

Guía temática chapter (weight not published)

6. Temas selectos

Malignant hyperthermia, local anesthetic systemic toxicity, anaphylaxis, obesity and sleep apnea, mechanical ventilation, thromboprophylaxis, and anesthetic morbidity and mortality

Preparing for the CNCA Anestesiología Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: not-published
  • Assessment: Single in-person computer-based examination lasting three hours, taken in a morning or afternoon shift. Its scope follows the CNCA Guía temática de estudio (modified from the PUEM): basic topics, comprehensive anesthetic care, anesthesia in core specialties, anesthesia in specific specialties and conditions, professionalism, and selected topics. Item count and pass mark are not published.
  • Time limit: 3 hours (single assigned shift: morning or afternoon)
  • Exam / certification fees: MXN 4,000 (convocatoria agosto 2026) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 104 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CNCA Anestesiología: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master anesthetic pharmacology calculations and pharmacokinetics: MAC modifiers, context-sensitive half-times, sugammadex dosing based on train-of-four depth, and lipid emulsion dosing for LAST.
2Thoroughly review difficult airway algorithms (ASA 2022, DAS) from videolaryngoscopy to rescue front-of-neck access (scalpel-bougie-tube cricothyroidotomy).
3Memorize ASRA anticoagulation intervals for neuroaxial and deep peripheral nerve blocks, especially for low-molecular-weight heparin, unfractionated heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants.
4Understand the mandatory requirements of NOM-006-SSA3-2011, including pre-anesthetic risk classification, minimum intraoperative monitoring, documentation, and post-anesthetic discharge scoring (Aldrete).
5Rehearse perioperative crisis algorithms: malignant hyperthermia (dantrolene dosing and cooling), severe local anesthetic systemic toxicity, maternal hemorrhage (Código Mater), and intraoperative anaphylaxis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CNCA certification exam?

The Examen de Certificación en Anestesiología is administered by the Consejo Nacional de Certificación en Anestesiología, A.C. (CNCA), which holds idoneidad from CONACEM pursuant to Article 81 and 272 Bis of the Ley General de Salud. It certifies that a specialist in anesthesiology possesses the knowledge and clinical judgment required for safe independent practice.

How is the 2026 CNCA examination administered?

Under the August 2026 convocatoria, the exam was held on 29 August 2026 as an in-person computer-based test in Mexico City (ANUIES), Mérida and Monterrey, in two shifts per venue (8:00–11:30 and 12:30–16:00) with a three-hour duration. Registration ran from 5 May to 17 August 2026, and results were published on 11 September 2026; the next call is announced on consejoanestesia.org.

What is the fee and passing score for the CNCA exam?

The examination fee for the 2026 convocatoria is MXN 4,000. The council does not publish a fixed percentage pass mark or the total item count; scores are evaluated using psychometric criteria established by the CNCA directive committee.

What topics and standards are tested on the exam?

The CNCA Guía temática de estudio (modified from the UNAM Plan Único de Especializaciones Médicas in Anesthesiology) lists six chapters: basic topics, comprehensive anesthetic care, core specialties, specific specialties and conditions, professionalism, and selected topics. Together they cover anesthetic pharmacology, airway algorithms, regional anesthesia, subspecialties (obstetrics, pediatrics, cardiovascular, geriatrics), crisis management (malignant hyperthermia, anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest), and Mexican health regulations, particularly NOM-006-SSA3-2011.

Why is this OpenExamPrep question bank written in English?

The official CNCA exam is administered in Spanish. This OpenExamPrep bank provides an independent English-language MCQ practice adaptation to help candidates master clinical decision-making, physiological concepts, and pharmacology. Mexican regulatory terms (such as NOM-006-SSA3-2011 and Código Mater) are preserved in Spanish context.