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TCI Pharmacokinetic Models — FRCA Final MCQ

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ModerateGeneral AnaesthesiaTCI Pharmacokinetic ModelsFRCA Final

A 45-year-old man is to receive propofol sedation for colonoscopy using a target-controlled infusion pump. Which pair comprises established pharmacokinetic models commonly implemented for propofol TCI in adults?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: EMarsh and Schnider models

Explanation lettering: D = shown as B · E = shown as D · B = shown as E

The correct answer is B. Marsh and Schnider are established pharmacokinetic models commonly implemented for adult propofol TCI. The Marsh model principally scales pharmacokinetic parameters with total body weight; depending on the pump and incorporated effect-site equilibration constant, modified Marsh implementations may permit plasma or effect-site targeting. Schnider incorporates age, height, sex and weight-derived lean body mass and is commonly used for effect-site targeting. Minto is a remifentanil model, so options A, D and E each contain an incorrect drug–model association. Paedfusor and Kataria are paediatric propofol models, making C incorrect. Schüttler is itself a propofol pharmacokinetic model, which made the original option set potentially ambiguous, but it is paired here with Minto. Eleveld is a newer general-purpose propofol model but does not invalidate B.

Reference: Royal College of Anaesthetists. Sample questions for the Anaesthetic Knowledge Test, Question FSBA953: propofol TCI using Eleveld compared with Marsh and Schnider models. 2026. https://rcoa.ac.uk/media/50906