100+ Free VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Practice Questions

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A healthy 4-year-old dog presenting for elective ovariohysterectomy with no clinically significant abnormalities would most appropriately be classified as which ASA physical status?

ASA I

ASA II

ASA III

ASA IV

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Exam

~$300

Exam Fee

AVTAA

6,000 hrs

Minimum Anesthesia Experience

AVTAA

3+ years

Minimum Years in Anesthesia

AVTAA

40-50

Case Logs Required

AVTAA

Case Reports Required

AVTAA

40+ hrs

Anesthesia CE Required

AVTAA

The VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) is an advanced written specialty examination offered by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia (AVTAA). Candidates must hold a CVT/LVT/RVT credential with 3+ years and 6,000+ hours of anesthesia experience, submit 40-50 case logs and 4 case reports, and complete 40+ hours of anesthesia-specific continuing education. The exam fee is approximately $300 and AVTAA does not publish pass rates publicly.

Sample VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A healthy 4-year-old dog presenting for elective ovariohysterectomy with no clinically significant abnormalities would most appropriately be classified as which ASA physical status?

A.ASA I

B.ASA II

C.ASA III

D.ASA IV

Explanation: ASA I describes a normal, healthy patient with no underlying disease undergoing an elective procedure. ASA status categorizes anesthetic risk and guides planning, monitoring intensity, and drug selection.

2Which preanesthetic fasting protocol is generally recommended for a healthy adult dog?

A.No fasting required

B.Withhold food 6-12 hours; water available until premedication

C.Withhold food and water for 24 hours

D.Withhold water for 12 hours only

Explanation: Current evidence-based guidelines recommend a 6-12 hour food fast in healthy adult dogs with water available up until premedication. Longer fasting increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and postoperative nausea without benefit.

3Which opioid is a pure mu agonist commonly used as a premedication in dogs and cats?

A.Butorphanol

B.Buprenorphine

C.Methadone

D.Naloxone

Explanation: Methadone is a pure (full) mu-opioid agonist with additional NMDA receptor antagonist activity, providing strong analgesia suitable for moderate-to-severe pain. It is widely used as a premedication in dogs and cats.

4Which drug is used to reverse the sedative and cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine?

A.Naloxone

B.Flumazenil

C.Atipamezole

D.Yohimbine

Explanation: Atipamezole is a selective alpha-2 antagonist that reverses dexmedetomidine and medetomidine. It is typically administered IM at an equivalent volume to the dexmedetomidine given.

5What is the typical induction dose of propofol for an unpremedicated healthy dog given IV to effect?

A.0.5-1 mg/kg

B.4-6 mg/kg

C.10-15 mg/kg

D.20-30 mg/kg

Explanation: Propofol is typically administered at 4-6 mg/kg IV to effect in unpremedicated dogs, slowly over 60-90 seconds. Adequate premedication reduces the induction dose by 25-50%.

6Which induction agent is best known for cardiovascular stability but causes adrenocortical suppression?

A.Propofol

B.Alfaxalone

C.Etomidate

D.Ketamine

Explanation: Etomidate produces minimal cardiovascular depression, making it valuable in patients with severe heart disease or hemodynamic instability. Its main disadvantage is adrenal (cortisol synthesis) suppression lasting several hours, which limits repeated or continuous use.

7A "ket-val" induction combines ketamine with which other drug?

A.Dexmedetomidine

B.Propofol

C.Diazepam

D.Fentanyl

Explanation: "Ket-val" refers to the 1:1 volume combination of ketamine (100 mg/mL) and diazepam (5 mg/mL), given IV for induction. The benzodiazepine offsets ketamine-induced muscle rigidity and mild CNS excitement.

8The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in the dog is approximately:

A.0.6%

B.1.3%

C.2.4%

D.6.0%

Explanation: The canine MAC of isoflurane is approximately 1.3%. MAC represents the alveolar concentration that prevents purposeful movement to a noxious stimulus in 50% of patients — a measure of inhalant potency. Lower MAC = more potent agent.

9Which of the following is considered a MAC-reducing drug when administered as a CRI during inhalant anesthesia?

A.Atropine

B.Fentanyl

C.Glycopyrrolate

D.Acepromazine boluses only

Explanation: Opioid CRIs such as fentanyl significantly reduce inhalant requirements (MAC) by providing analgesia and CNS depression synergistically with inhalants, decreasing cardiovascular depression. Ketamine and lidocaine CRIs also reduce MAC.

10Which lidocaine CRI consideration is MOST important in feline anesthesia?

A.Lidocaine CRI is first-line in cats at 50-75 mcg/kg/min

B.Lidocaine CRI is generally avoided in cats due to cardiovascular depression

C.Lidocaine CRI is used only if ketamine is contraindicated

D.Lidocaine is only given as an epidural in cats

Explanation: Cats are significantly more sensitive to lidocaine than dogs, with greater cardiovascular depression and lower therapeutic index. Lidocaine CRIs are generally avoided for MAC reduction in cats; ketamine or opioid CRIs are preferred.

About the VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Exam

Advanced specialty credentialing exam for credentialed veterinary technicians pursuing Veterinary Technician Specialist status in Anesthesia and Analgesia. Administered by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia (AVTAA) under NAVTA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 4 hours

Passing Score

Set annually by Examination Committee

Exam Fee

~$300 (AVTAA / NAVTA CVTS)

VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Exam Content Outline

15%

Patient Assessment & Preanesthetic Planning

ASA status, history, bloodwork, fasting, risk stratification, equipment check

15%

Pharmacology: Premedication, Induction & Maintenance

Opioids, alpha-2s, benzodiazepines, acepromazine, propofol, alfaxalone, ketamine, etomidate, inhalants, TIVA

15%

Monitoring & Anesthetic Depth

HR, BP (Doppler, oscillometric, direct arterial), SpO2, ETCO2, capnogram analysis, TOF, temperature, depth signs

12%

Ventilation & Airway Management

PPV, tidal volume, PIP, PEEP, one-lung ventilation, machine and circuit selection

12%

Analgesia & Pain Management

Multimodal, opioid/ketamine/lidocaine CRIs, NSAIDs, adjuncts, pain scales

10%

Locoregional Anesthesia

Epidurals, dental blocks, RUMM, brachial plexus, femoral/sciatic, intercostal, TAP

Fluid Therapy & Transfusion Medicine

Crystalloids, colloids, blood products, hypotension management, CRI calculations

CPR & RECOVER Guidelines

BLS, ALS, drug doses, defibrillation, ROSC indicators, 2012/2024 updates

Special Populations

Brachycephalic, pediatric, geriatric, pregnant/C-section, cardiac, hepatic/renal, obese

Equine & Large Animal Anesthesia

Standing sedation, recumbency, myopathy prevention, equine-specific drugs

How to Pass the VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Set annually by Examination Committee
Exam length: 200 questions
Time limit: Approximately 4 hours
Exam fee: ~$300

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the RECOVER 2012/2024 CPR guidelines — compression rate 100-120/min, low-dose epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg, vasopressin 0.8 U/kg alternative

2Memorize CRI doses cold: fentanyl 2-10 mcg/kg/hr, ketamine 2-10 mcg/kg/min, lidocaine 25-75 mcg/kg/min (dogs)

3Know MAC values: isoflurane 1.3% (dog) / 1.6% (cat), sevoflurane 2.4% / 2.6%

4Practice CRI calculations repeatedly — unit conversions between mcg/kg/min, mcg/kg/hr, and mg/kg/hr are frequently tested

5Study capnogram waveform analysis: flat = disconnect/arrest, shark-fin = bronchospasm, curare cleft = spontaneous ventilation

6Memorize locoregional doses and maximums: bupivacaine 2 mg/kg (dogs), 1-1.5 mg/kg (cats); lidocaine 6 mg/kg (dogs), 2-3 mg/kg (cats)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) exam?

The VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) certifying examination is a written specialty exam administered by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia (AVTAA). It is the final step in earning the Veterinary Technician Specialist (Anesthesia & Analgesia) credential recognized under NAVTA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS).

How much does the VTS (Anesthesia) exam cost?

The AVTAA examination fee is approximately $300. Additional application fees, continuing education, case log preparation, and recommended study resources bring total investment higher. Check avtaa-vts.org for the current year's exact fees.

Who is eligible to sit for the VTS (Anesthesia) exam?

Candidates must (1) be legally credentialed as a veterinary technician (CVT, LVT, RVT, or equivalent), (2) have at least 6,000 hours and 3+ years of focused anesthesia experience, (3) submit 40-50 case logs documenting anesthesia cases, (4) submit 4 case reports, (5) complete at least 40 hours of anesthesia-specific continuing education, and (6) satisfy the AVTAA skills list and letters of recommendation requirements.

When is the VTS (Anesthesia) exam held?

The AVTAA certifying exam is typically held once per year. Specific dates, format (in-person or online/proctored), and location are published annually at avtaa-vts.org. Applicants should monitor deadlines closely because late applications are not accepted.

What is the passing score for the VTS (Anesthesia) exam?

The passing score is set annually by the AVTAA Examination Committee based on the difficulty of that year's exam. AVTAA does not publish historical pass rates. Candidates are notified of their result after the exam, and unsuccessful candidates may request feedback and reapply in a subsequent cycle.

How should I study for the VTS (Anesthesia) exam?

Focus on the AVTAA blueprint: patient assessment, pharmacology, monitoring, ventilation, analgesia, locoregional anesthesia, fluids/transfusion, CPR (RECOVER 2012/2024), special populations, and equine/large-animal anesthesia. Key texts include Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (Grimm, Lamont, Tranquilli), Small Animal Anesthesia Techniques (Bryant), and Handbook of Veterinary Anesthesia (Muir). Plan 6-12 months of dedicated preparation.

Can I become a VTS (Anesthesia) without attending a formal school?

Yes. AVTAA is a certifying body, not a school. VTS (Anesthesia) status is earned through credentialing as a veterinary technician, work experience, case documentation, continuing education, and passing the exam. You must already be a credentialed veterinary technician before accumulating VTS-eligible hours.