ABA Pain Medicine Certification
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action of opioids
in pain management?
A) Inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes
B) Blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels
C) Activation of mu-opioid receptors
D) Modulation of NMDA receptors
Rationale: Opioids produce analgesia primarily by activating mu-
opioid receptors in the CNS, which decreases neuronal excitability
and neurotransmitter release.
,2. What is the recommended first-line pharmacologic treatment for
neuropathic pain?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Gabapentin or pregabalin
C) NSAIDs
D) Tramadol
Rationale: Gabapentin and pregabalin are first-line agents for
neuropathic pain due to their modulation of calcium channels in the
CNS.
3. Which of the following is a major risk associated with long-term opioid
therapy?
A) Hypertension
B) Opioid-induced hyperalgesia
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Long-term opioid use can paradoxically increase
sensitivity to pain, a condition known as opioid-induced
hyperalgesia.
4. Which interventional procedure is indicated for chronic low back pain
due to facet joint arthropathy?
A) Epidural steroid injection
, B) Medial branch radiofrequency ablation
C) Spinal cord stimulator placement
D) Intrathecal pump placement
Rationale: Medial branch radiofrequency ablation targets the nerves
supplying the facet joints to reduce pain from arthropathy.
5. Which of the following adjuvant medications is commonly used for
chronic pain management in patients with depression?
A) Duloxetine
B) Metformin
C) Ibuprofen
D) Lorazepam
Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI that treats both depression and
chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain.
6. Which scale is commonly used to assess pain intensity in adult
patients?
A) Glasgow Coma Scale
B) Apgar Score
C) Numeric Rating Scale (0–10)
D) Mini-Mental State Exam
Rationale: The Numeric Rating Scale allows patients to quantify pain
intensity from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable).
, 7. What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDs in pain relief?
A) NMDA receptor blockade
B) Inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2)
C) GABA receptor modulation
D) Opioid receptor activation
Rationale: NSAIDs reduce pain by inhibiting COX enzymes, which
decreases prostaglandin synthesis and reduces inflammation.
8. Which opioid is preferred for patients with renal impairment?
A) Morphine
B) Oxycodone
C) Fentanyl
D) Codeine
Rationale: Fentanyl has no active metabolites that accumulate in
renal failure, making it safer for these patients.
9. What is the primary indication for a stellate ganglion block?
A) Phantom limb pain
B) Complex regional pain syndrome of the upper extremity
C) Chronic low back pain
D) Osteoarthritis of the knee
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action of opioids
in pain management?
A) Inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes
B) Blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels
C) Activation of mu-opioid receptors
D) Modulation of NMDA receptors
Rationale: Opioids produce analgesia primarily by activating mu-
opioid receptors in the CNS, which decreases neuronal excitability
and neurotransmitter release.
,2. What is the recommended first-line pharmacologic treatment for
neuropathic pain?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Gabapentin or pregabalin
C) NSAIDs
D) Tramadol
Rationale: Gabapentin and pregabalin are first-line agents for
neuropathic pain due to their modulation of calcium channels in the
CNS.
3. Which of the following is a major risk associated with long-term opioid
therapy?
A) Hypertension
B) Opioid-induced hyperalgesia
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Long-term opioid use can paradoxically increase
sensitivity to pain, a condition known as opioid-induced
hyperalgesia.
4. Which interventional procedure is indicated for chronic low back pain
due to facet joint arthropathy?
A) Epidural steroid injection
, B) Medial branch radiofrequency ablation
C) Spinal cord stimulator placement
D) Intrathecal pump placement
Rationale: Medial branch radiofrequency ablation targets the nerves
supplying the facet joints to reduce pain from arthropathy.
5. Which of the following adjuvant medications is commonly used for
chronic pain management in patients with depression?
A) Duloxetine
B) Metformin
C) Ibuprofen
D) Lorazepam
Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI that treats both depression and
chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain.
6. Which scale is commonly used to assess pain intensity in adult
patients?
A) Glasgow Coma Scale
B) Apgar Score
C) Numeric Rating Scale (0–10)
D) Mini-Mental State Exam
Rationale: The Numeric Rating Scale allows patients to quantify pain
intensity from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable).
, 7. What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDs in pain relief?
A) NMDA receptor blockade
B) Inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2)
C) GABA receptor modulation
D) Opioid receptor activation
Rationale: NSAIDs reduce pain by inhibiting COX enzymes, which
decreases prostaglandin synthesis and reduces inflammation.
8. Which opioid is preferred for patients with renal impairment?
A) Morphine
B) Oxycodone
C) Fentanyl
D) Codeine
Rationale: Fentanyl has no active metabolites that accumulate in
renal failure, making it safer for these patients.
9. What is the primary indication for a stellate ganglion block?
A) Phantom limb pain
B) Complex regional pain syndrome of the upper extremity
C) Chronic low back pain
D) Osteoarthritis of the knee
