AMERICAN BOARD OF ANESTHESIOLOGY (ABA)
CETIFICATION EXAMINATION ABMS EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of
intraoperative hypotension after induction of general
anesthesia?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Vasodilation due to anesthetic agents
C. Myocardial infarction
D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Induction agents such as propofol, etomidate, and
volatile anesthetics commonly cause systemic vasodilation,
leading to hypotension, especially in patients with limited
physiologic reserve.
2. What is the minimum fasting period recommended for clear
liquids before elective surgery in healthy adults?
A. 2 hours
B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours
Answer: A. 2 hours
,Rationale: Current ASA guidelines recommend a minimum
fasting of 2 hours for clear liquids to reduce aspiration risk while
avoiding unnecessary dehydration.
3. Which inhalational anesthetic is associated with the highest
risk of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Nitrous oxide
B. Sevoflurane
C. Desflurane
D. Halothane
Rationale: All volatile anesthetics except nitrous oxide can
trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible patients, with
sevoflurane being commonly implicated in pediatric cases.
4. Which opioid has the longest duration of action when
administered intravenously?
A. Fentanyl
B. Morphine
C. Remifentanil
D. Alfentanil
Rationale: Morphine has a longer duration due to slower
redistribution and hepatic metabolism, whereas remifentanil is
ultra-short acting due to metabolism by plasma esterases.
,5. Which of the following monitoring modalities is essential
for all patients under general anesthesia?
A. Arterial line
B. Central venous pressure
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Bispectral index
Rationale: Pulse oximetry is mandatory for all anesthetized
patients as per ASA standards to continuously monitor
oxygenation.
6. What is the first-line treatment for acute intraoperative
bronchospasm?
A. Intravenous steroids
B. Inhaled beta-2 agonists (albuterol)
C. Intravenous epinephrine
D. Increasing tidal volume
Rationale: Bronchodilation with inhaled beta-2 agonists is first-
line; steroids may help later but have delayed onset.
7. Which neuromuscular blocking agent is safest in patients
with renal failure?
A. Vecuronium
B. Rocuronium
C. Cisatracurium
D. Pancuronium
, Rationale: Cisatracurium undergoes Hofmann elimination
(organ-independent), making it safe in renal or hepatic
impairment.
8. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to
regional anesthesia?
A. Mild thrombocytopenia (platelets 100,000)
B. Patient refusal
C. Controlled hypertension
D. Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Patient refusal is the only absolute contraindication;
other factors are relative and depend on risk assessment.
9. The most common cause of postoperative nausea and
vomiting (PONV) is:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Volatile anesthetics and opioids
C. Hypothermia
D. Urinary retention
Rationale: Volatile anesthetics and opioids are the most
significant risk factors for PONV.
10. In adults, which local anesthetic has the longest duration
of action for peripheral nerve blocks?
CETIFICATION EXAMINATION ABMS EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of
intraoperative hypotension after induction of general
anesthesia?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Vasodilation due to anesthetic agents
C. Myocardial infarction
D. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Induction agents such as propofol, etomidate, and
volatile anesthetics commonly cause systemic vasodilation,
leading to hypotension, especially in patients with limited
physiologic reserve.
2. What is the minimum fasting period recommended for clear
liquids before elective surgery in healthy adults?
A. 2 hours
B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours
Answer: A. 2 hours
,Rationale: Current ASA guidelines recommend a minimum
fasting of 2 hours for clear liquids to reduce aspiration risk while
avoiding unnecessary dehydration.
3. Which inhalational anesthetic is associated with the highest
risk of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Nitrous oxide
B. Sevoflurane
C. Desflurane
D. Halothane
Rationale: All volatile anesthetics except nitrous oxide can
trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible patients, with
sevoflurane being commonly implicated in pediatric cases.
4. Which opioid has the longest duration of action when
administered intravenously?
A. Fentanyl
B. Morphine
C. Remifentanil
D. Alfentanil
Rationale: Morphine has a longer duration due to slower
redistribution and hepatic metabolism, whereas remifentanil is
ultra-short acting due to metabolism by plasma esterases.
,5. Which of the following monitoring modalities is essential
for all patients under general anesthesia?
A. Arterial line
B. Central venous pressure
C. Pulse oximetry
D. Bispectral index
Rationale: Pulse oximetry is mandatory for all anesthetized
patients as per ASA standards to continuously monitor
oxygenation.
6. What is the first-line treatment for acute intraoperative
bronchospasm?
A. Intravenous steroids
B. Inhaled beta-2 agonists (albuterol)
C. Intravenous epinephrine
D. Increasing tidal volume
Rationale: Bronchodilation with inhaled beta-2 agonists is first-
line; steroids may help later but have delayed onset.
7. Which neuromuscular blocking agent is safest in patients
with renal failure?
A. Vecuronium
B. Rocuronium
C. Cisatracurium
D. Pancuronium
, Rationale: Cisatracurium undergoes Hofmann elimination
(organ-independent), making it safe in renal or hepatic
impairment.
8. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to
regional anesthesia?
A. Mild thrombocytopenia (platelets 100,000)
B. Patient refusal
C. Controlled hypertension
D. Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Patient refusal is the only absolute contraindication;
other factors are relative and depend on risk assessment.
9. The most common cause of postoperative nausea and
vomiting (PONV) is:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Volatile anesthetics and opioids
C. Hypothermia
D. Urinary retention
Rationale: Volatile anesthetics and opioids are the most
significant risk factors for PONV.
10. In adults, which local anesthetic has the longest duration
of action for peripheral nerve blocks?
