Essential Drug Doses
- Thiopentone: 3-5 mg/kg IV (induction)
- Propofol: 2-2.5 mg/kg IV (induction)
- Succinylcholine: 1-1.5 mg/kg IV (depolarizing)
- Rocuronium: 0.6 mg/kg IV (non-depolarizing)
- Atracurium: 0.5 mg/kg IV (non-depolarizing, organ-independent)
Inhalational Agents
| Agent | MAC | Blood:Gas | Key Feature |
|-------|-----|-----------|-------------|
| Halothane | 0.75 | 2.5 | Hepatitis risk |
| Isoflurane | 1.2 | 1.4 | Tachycardia |
| Sevoflurane | 2.0 | 0.65 | Smooth induction |
| Desflurane | 6.0 | 0.42 | Rapid emergence |
Complications
Laryngospasm (most common), bronchospasm, aspiration, malignant hyperthermia, awareness under GA, post-op nausea.
Monitoring
ECG, SpO2, EtCO2, BP, Temperature, Etagent concentration.
References & further reading
Every clinical claim in this article is anchored to a primary source. Click through to verify, and use the same habit in your revision.
Revision history
- 19 September 2026 — Initial publication
Frequently asked questions
How many anaesthesia questions in UPSC CMS?
3-5 questions from Anaesthesia in Paper I. Most are drug-dose based or complication-related. A smaller number test equipment and monitoring.
What anaesthesia drug doses must I memorize?
Common ones: Atropine (0.6 mg IV), Adrenaline (1 mg IV in cardiac arrest), Lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg plain, 3 mg/kg with adrenaline), Propofol (2-2.5 mg/kg), Succinylcholine (1-1.5 mg/kg), Rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg).
Is pre-anaesthetic checkup important for exams?
Yes — know the components: history, examination (CVS, RS, airway), investigations (Hb, BT, CT, ECG, chest X-ray for specific cases), and risk stratification (ASA classification).
Related reading
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