100+ Free CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) Practice Questions
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Key Facts: CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) Exam
3 written papers
Written Component
CMSA DA(SA) Regulations
AoC + oral/OSCE
Clinical Component
CMSA DA(SA) Regulations
R16 800
Examination Fee
CMSA Fee Schedule
Cohen 65
Standard Setting
CMSA Senate Policy
CMSA
Exam Body
College of Anaesthetists of SA
The DA(SA) validates essential clinical anaesthesia knowledge and crisis management skills for doctors practicing in South Africa, covering pharmacological principles, airway anatomy, monitoring, and resuscitation protocols.
Sample CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which factor is known to increase the Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) of a volatile anaesthetic agent?
2Which inhalational agent has the lowest blood-gas partition coefficient, resulting in the most rapid speed of induction and recovery?
3A 35-year-old patient receives propofol for induction of anaesthesia. What primary mechanism accounts for the rapid termination of its central hypnotic effect following a single bolus dose?
4Etomidate is frequently selected for induction in hemodynamically unstable patients. Which enzyme inhibition is responsible for its classic endocrine side effect?
5Ketamine produces a state of 'dissociative anaesthesia'. What is its primary central molecular mechanism of action?
6Which neuromuscular blocking agent undergoes organ-independent clearance via spontaneous chemical degradation (Hofmann elimination) at physiological pH and temperature?
7Sugammadex rapidly reverses neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium. What is its mechanism of action?
8Which opioid agonist has an ultrashort duration of action owing to rapid hydrolysis by non-specific plasma and tissue esterases?
9Which shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicates a DECREASED affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen (facilitating O2 unloading at tissues)?
10A 68-year-old male with chronic renal failure (eGFR 18 mL/min/1.73m²) receives repeated boluses of morphine postoperatively. He becomes excessively somnolent with a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min. Which metabolite accumulation is responsible?
About the CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) Exam
The Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) is the premier diploma credential for non-specialist medical practitioners delivering anaesthetic care in South African public and private healthcare facilities. It assesses core clinical competence in perioperative care, airway management, regional block techniques, physiological monitoring, and crisis resuscitation.
Assessment
Three 3-hour written papers (Paper 1 short-answer questions 33%, Paper 2 short-answer questions 33%, Paper 3 of 120 single best answer MCQs 34%) with an Assessment of Competence and an oral/OSCE. Blueprint domains: Physiology & Pharmacology of Anaesthesia (30%), Applied Anatomy & Airway Management (20%), Clinical Anaesthesia & Monitoring (30%), and Anaesthetic Complications, Emergencies & Resuscitation (20%).
Time Limit
3 hours per written paper (three papers); oral/OSCE scheduled separately
Passing Score
Overall average of at least 50% (with written subminimum) plus a pass in the oral/OSCE; Cohen 65 standard setting.
Exam Fee
R16 800 (College of Anaesthetists of South Africa (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa))
CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) Exam Content Outline
Physiology & Pharmacology of Anaesthesia
Cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, and central nervous system physiology; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous and inhalational induction agents, local anaesthetics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and autonomic drugs.
Applied Anatomy & Airway Management
Functional airway anatomy, upper and lower respiratory tract anatomy, neuroanatomy relevant to neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks, difficult airway algorithms, supraglottic devices, and endotracheal intubation techniques.
Clinical Anaesthesia & Monitoring
Preoperative assessment and optimization, intraoperative management across general, paediatric, and obstetric surgery, physiological monitoring (ECG, pulse oximetry, capnography, invasive lines), fluid therapy, and blood transfusion protocols.
Anaesthetic Complications, Emergencies & Resuscitation
Management of acute anaesthetic crises including cannot intubate cannot oxygenate (CICO), malignant hyperthermia, local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), severe anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, massive hemorrhage, and ALS resuscitation.
How to Pass the CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Overall average of at least 50% (with written subminimum) plus a pass in the oral/OSCE; Cohen 65 standard setting.
- Assessment: Three 3-hour written papers (Paper 1 short-answer questions 33%, Paper 2 short-answer questions 33%, Paper 3 of 120 single best answer MCQs 34%) with an Assessment of Competence and an oral/OSCE. Blueprint domains: Physiology & Pharmacology of Anaesthesia (30%), Applied Anatomy & Airway Management (20%), Clinical Anaesthesia & Monitoring (30%), and Anaesthetic Complications, Emergencies & Resuscitation (20%).
- Time limit: 3 hours per written paper (three papers); oral/OSCE scheduled separately
- Exam fee: R16 800
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CMSA Diploma in Anaesthesia DA(SA) Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the CMSA DA(SA) examination?
The DA(SA) has three 3-hour written papers (two short-answer papers and one paper of 120 single best answer MCQs) plus an Assessment of Competence and an oral/OSCE. This free bank provides 100 practice MCQs as a study aid for the SBA paper.
Who is eligible to take the DA(SA) examination in South Africa?
Medical practitioners registered with the HPCSA who have completed internship and community service, and who have completed at least 6 months of supervised full-time training in clinical anaesthesia in an accredited hospital.
How is the DA(SA) content distributed across clinical domains?
The blueprint domains are weighted as follows: Physiology & Pharmacology (30%), Applied Anatomy & Airway Management (20%), Clinical Anaesthesia & Monitoring (30%), and Anaesthetic Complications, Emergencies & Resuscitation (20%). This bank's 100 practice MCQs follow the same weighting.