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Question 1
Correct
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A 54 year old man, underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma. How should he be fed post operatively?
Your Answer: Surgically inserted jejunostomy feeding tube
Explanation:Jejunostomy feeding (enteral feeding) is now the standard of care in most feeding protocols after esophagectomy. The feeding regimen consists of a gradually increasing volume of feeds in the first five to seven days. Patients should resume oral intake as soon as possible after surgery. In hospital, all forms of enteral access appear to be safe. Out of hospital, the ability to provide home feeding by feeding jejunostomy is likely where meaningful nutritional improvements can be made. Improving nutrition and related quality of life in the early months might improve the long-term outcome
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 2
Incorrect
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A 25 year old woman is trapped for several hours after falling down a slope while hiking in the winter. She is airlifted to the nearest hospital where she was found to be hypothermic with a core temperature of 29oC. What is the most effective method of raising core temperature?
Your Answer: Increasing the room temperature
Correct Answer: Instillation of warmed intra peritoneal fluid
Explanation:Answer: Instillation of warmed intra peritoneal fluid
Hypothermia describes a state in which the body’s mechanism for temperature regulation is overwhelmed in the face of a cold stressor. Hypothermia is classified as accidental or intentional, primary or secondary, and by the degree of hypothermia.
Active central rewarming is the fastest and most invasive method of rewarming. It involves use of warm IV fluids, gastric lavage and peritoneal dialysis by warm fluids. Peritoneal dialysis can be safely done with crystalloid dialysate at 40 to 42°C and it raises the body temperature by 4 to 6°C/hour. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 52-year-old female presents with pain in her proximal femur. Imaging demonstrates a bone metastasis from an unknown primary site. CT scanning with arterial phase contrast shows that the lesion is hypervascular. From which of the following primary sites is the lesion most likely to have originated?
Your Answer: Breast
Correct Answer: Renal
Explanation:In females, the breasts and lungs are the most common primary disease sites; approximately 80% of cancers that spread to bone arise in these locations. In males, cancers of the prostate and lungs make up 80% of the carcinomas that metastasize to bone. The remaining 20% of primary disease sites in patients of both sexes are the kidney, gut, and thyroid, as well as sites of unknown origin.
On contrast-enhanced CT scans, RCC is usually solid, and decreased attenuation suggestive of necrosis is often present. Sometimes, RCC is a predominantly cystic mass, with thick septa and wall nodularity.
RCC may also appear as a completely solid and highly enhancing mass -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Oncology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 4
Correct
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A middle aged woman presents with a 4 day history of sore throat, malaise and fatigue and she is seen to have a large peritonsillar abscess on examination. Which of the following would most likely be the causative agent?
Your Answer: Streptococcus pyogenes
Explanation:Answer: Streptococcus pyogenes
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils. The inflammation usually extends to the adenoid and the lingual tonsils; therefore, the term pharyngitis may also be used. Most cases of bacterial tonsillitis are caused by group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (GABHS).
Signs and symptoms
TonsillitisIndividuals with acute tonsillitis present with the following:
Fever
Sore throat
Foul breath
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
Tender cervical lymph nodesAirway obstruction may manifest as mouth breathing, snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, nocturnal breathing pauses, or sleep apnoea.
Peritonsillar abscess
Individuals with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) present with the following:
Severe throat pain
Fever
Drooling
Foul breath
Trismus (difficulty opening the mouth)
Altered voice quality (the hot-potato voice)Treatment of acute tonsillitis is largely supportive and focuses on maintaining adequate hydration and caloric intake and controlling pain and fever.
Corticosteroids may shorten the duration of fever and pharyngitis in cases of infectious mononucleosis (MN). In severe cases of MN, corticosteroids or gamma globulin may be helpful. GABHS infection obligates antibiotic coverage.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 5
Correct
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A 55-year-old male presents with central chest pain. On examination, he has a mitral regurgitation murmur. An ECG shows ST elevation in leads V1 to V6. There is no ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF. What is the diagnosis?
Your Answer: Anterior myocardial infarct
Explanation:High-probability ECG features of MI are the following:
ST-segment elevation greater than 1 mm in two anatomically contiguous leads
The presence of new Q wavesIntermediate-probability ECG features of MI are the following:
ST-segment depression
T-wave inversion
Other nonspecific ST-T wave abnormalities
Low-probability ECG features of MI are normal ECG findings. However, normal or nonspecific findings on ECGs do not exclude the possibility of MI.Special attention should be made if there is diffuse ST depression in the precordial and extremity leads associated with more than 1 mm ST elevation in lead aVR, as this may indicate stenosis of the left main coronary artery or the proximal section of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
Localization of the involved myocardium based on the distribution of ECG abnormalities in MI is as follows:
– Inferior wall – II, III, aVF
– Lateral wall – I, aVL, V4 through V6
– Anteroseptal – V1 through V3
– Anterolateral – V1 through V6
– Right ventricular – RV4, RV5
– Posterior wall – R/S ratio greater than 1 in V1 and V2, and – T-wave changes in V1, V8, and V9
– True posterior-wall MIs may cause precordial ST depressions, inverted and hyperacute T waves, or both. ST-segment elevation and upright hyperacute T waves may be evident with the use of right-sided chest leads.Hyperacute (symmetrical and, often, but not necessarily pointed) T waves are frequently an early sign of MI at any locus.
The appearance of abnormalities in a large number of ECG leads often indicates extensive injury or concomitant pericarditis.
The characteristic ECG changes may be seen in conditions other than acute MI. For example, patients with previous MI and left ventricular aneurysm may have persistent ST elevations resulting from dyskinetic wall motion, rather than from acute myocardial injury. ST-segment changes may also be the result of misplaced precordial leads, early repolarization abnormalities, hypothermia (elevated J point or Osborne waves), or hypothyroidism.
False Q waves may be seen in septal leads in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). They may also result from cardiac rotation.
Substantial T-wave inversion may be seen in left ventricular hypertrophy with secondary repolarization changes.
The QT segment may be prolonged because of ischemia or electrolyte disturbances.
Saddleback ST-segment elevation (Brugada epsilon waves) may be seen in leads V1-V3 in patients with a congenital predisposition to life-threatening arrhythmias. This elevation may be confused with that observed in acute anterior MI.
Diffuse brain injuries and haemorrhagic stroke may also trigger changes in T waves, which are usually widespread and global, involving all leads.
Convex ST-segment elevation with upright or inverted T waves is generally indicative of MI in the appropriate clinical setting. ST depression and T-wave changes may also indicate the evolution of NSTEMI.
Patients with a permanent pacemaker may confound recognition of STEMI by 12-lead ECG due to the presence of paced ventricular contractions.
To summarize, non-ischemic causes of ST-segment elevation include left ventricular hypertrophy, pericarditis, ventricular-paced rhythms, hypothermia, hyperkalaemia and other electrolyte imbalances, and left ventricular aneurysm. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 6
Correct
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A 45-year-old male who has a long term history of alcohol misuse is admitted with a history of an attack of vomiting after an episode of binge drinking. After vomiting, he developed sudden onset left-sided chest pain, which is pleuritic in nature. On examination, he is profoundly septic and drowsy with severe epigastric tenderness and left sided chest pain. What is the most likely cause?
Your Answer: Boerhaaves syndrome
Explanation:Boerhaave’s syndrome is also known as spontaneous oesophageal rupture or effort rupture of the oesophagus. Although vomiting is thought to be the most common cause, other causes include weightlifting, defecation, epileptic seizures, abdominal trauma, compressed air injury, and childbirth, all of which can increase the pressure in the oesophagus and cause a barogenic oesophageal rupture.
It usually follows excessive alcohol intake or overeating, or both, because either of these can induce vomiting.
The rupture is transmural.
A provider should suspect Boerhaave’s syndrome when a patient presents with retrosternal chest pain with or without subcutaneous emphysema when associated with heavy alcohol intake and severe or repeated vomiting. Up to one-third of patients do not present with these symptoms. The actual clinical presentation of Boerhaave syndrome will depend on the level of the perforation, the degree of leakage, and the time since the onset of the injury. Typically, the patient will present with pain at the site of perforation, usually in the neck, chest, epigastric region, or upper abdomen. Cervical perforations can present with neck pain, dysphagia, or dysphonia; intra-thoracic perforations with chest pain; and intra-abdominal perforations with epigastric pain radiating to the shoulder or back. History of increased intra-oesophageal pressure for any reason followed by chest pain should prompt consideration of this condition. Physical exam findings may include abnormal vitals (tachycardia, tachypnoea, fever), decreased breath sounds on the perforated side, mediastinal emphysema, and Hamman’s sign (mediastinal “crackling” accompanying every heartbeat) in left lateral decubitus position. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 7
Correct
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A 34 year old man is undergoing an inguinal hernia repair as a day case procedure and is being given sevoflurane. Which of the following is the best option for maintaining his airway during the procedure?
Your Answer: Insertion of laryngeal mask
Explanation:The laryngeal airway mask (LAM) is a device for anaesthetic air way management. The primary advantage of the laryngeal airway mask (LAM) over the face mask during general anaesthesia includes the ability to obtain, secure, and maintain a patent airway. The laryngeal mask airway is passed beyond the tongue, forming a seal with the laryngeal inlet and eliminating the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in the non-intubated patient.
Maintenance of a patent airway with fewer episodes of oxygen desaturation has been demonstrated for the LAM as compared with the face mask. Environmental inhalational gas exposure values associated with the use of a LAM have been shown to be less than those achieved with a face mask and comparable to those with the use of an endotracheal tube. Ocular and facial nerve injuries associated with prolonged face mask use are also avoided. The advantages of the laryngeal mask airway include anaesthetic management, induction, maintenance, and emergence.
The placement of the LMA can be accomplished without muscle relaxants and laryngoscopy. The avoidance of succinylcholine may decrease the incidence of post-operative myalgias. Significant and potentially detrimental hemodynamic changes associated with both laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are also attenuated and are of shorter duration with the use of the laryngeal mask airway. Compared with an endotracheal tube, the anaesthetic requirement for tolerance of the LAM has also been reported to be less. Differences in the response to the LAM are also seen during emergence from anaesthesia. The LAM is well tolerated, with a lower reported incidence of hyperactive respiratory occurrences (e.g., coughing, laryngospasm, breath holding) than with an endotracheal tube. The anatomic placement of the LAM, with its lack of impingement on the trachea and vocal cords, minimizes complications that are potentially associated with intubation. According to Swann et al. incidence of postoperative sore throat as well as hoarseness is less with the LAM compared with the endotracheal tube.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Post-operative Management And Critical Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 8
Incorrect
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A 59 year old man presents with septicaemia 48 hours after undergoing a difficult colonoscopy to assess the extent of a caecal carcinoma. His abdomen is soft and non tender. Blood cultures grow gram positive cocci. Which of the following organisms is likely responsible for this condition?
Your Answer: Bacteroides fragilis
Correct Answer: Streptococcus bovis
Explanation:Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) bacteria are associated with colorectal cancer and adenoma. S. bovis is currently named S. gallolyticus. 25-80% of patients with S. bovis/gallolyticus bacteraemia have concomitant colorectal tumours. Colonic neoplasia may arise years after the presentation of bacteraemia or infectious endocarditis of S. bovis/gallolyticus. The presence of S. bovis/gallolyticus bacteraemia and/or endocarditis is also related to the presence of villous or tubular-villous adenomas in the large intestine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 9
Correct
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A 40-year-old motorcyclist is involved in a road traffic accident. A FAST scan in the emergency department shows free intrabdominal fluid. A laparotomy is performed during which there is evidence of small liver laceration that has stopped bleeding and a tear to the inferior pole of the spleen. What is the best course of action?
Your Answer: Attempt measures to conserve the spleen
Explanation:Spleen injuries are among the most frequent trauma-related injuries. At present, they are classified according to the anatomy of the injury. The optimal treatment strategy, however, should take into consideration the hemodynamic status, the anatomic derangement, and the associated injuries. The management of splenic trauma patients aims to restore the homeostasis and the normal physiopathology especially considering the modern tools for bleeding management.
The trend in the management of splenic injury continues to favour nonoperative or conservative management. This varies from institution to institution but usually includes patients with stable hemodynamic signs, stable haemoglobin levels over 12-48 hours, minimal transfusion requirements (2 U or less), CT scan injury scale grade of 1 or 2 without a blush, and patients younger than 55 years.
Surgical therapy is usually reserved for patients with signs of ongoing bleeding or hemodynamic instability. In some institutions, CT scan–assessed grade V splenic injuries with stable vitals may be observed closely without operative intervention, but most patients with these injuries will undergo exploratory laparotomy for more precise staging, repair, or removal.A retrospective analysis by Scarborough et al compared the effectiveness of nonoperative management with immediate splenectomy for adult patients with grade IV or V blunt splenic injury. The study found that both approaches had similar rates of in-hospital mortality (11.5% in the splenectomy group vs 10.0%), however, there was a higher incidence of infectious complications in the immediate splenectomy group. The rate of failure in the nonoperative management was 20.1% and symptoms of a bleeding disorder, the need for an early blood transfusion, and grade V injury were all early predictors of nonoperative management failure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 10
Incorrect
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A 65 year old man has colorectal cancer Duke C. What is his 5 year prognosis?
Your Answer: 70%
Correct Answer: 50%
Explanation:Dukes staging and 5 year survival:
Dukes A – Tumour confined to the bowel but not extending beyond it, without nodal metastasis (95%)
Dukes B – Tumour invading bowel wall, but without nodal metastasis (75%)
Dukes C – Lymph node metastases (50%)
Dukes D – Distant metastases (6%) -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Oncology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A 62 year old man presents with sudden onset of palpitations. ECG shows broad complex tachycardia at a rate of 150 beats per minute. The blood pressure is 120/82 mmHg and there is no evidence of heart failure. The doctor wants to prescribe a rate controlling medication. Which of the following should be avoided in this case?
Your Answer: Adenosine
Correct Answer: Verapamil
Explanation:The use of intravenous diltiazem or verapamil is contraindicated in patients with ventricular tachycardia. The IV administration of a calcium channel blocker can precipitate cardiac arrest in such patients.
Marked hemodynamic deterioration and ventricular fibrillation have occurred in patients with wide-complex ventricular tachycardia (QRS >= 0.12 seconds) treated with IV verapamil. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 12
Incorrect
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A 47-year-old female with breast cancer started a chemotherapy regime containing epirubicin. What is the primary mode of action of this drug?
Your Answer: Inhibition of topoisomerase 1
Correct Answer: Intercalation of DNA
Explanation:Epirubicin is an anthracycline; intercalates between DNA base pairs and triggers cleavage by topoisomerase II, which results in cytocidal activity.
Inhibits DNA helicase and generates cytotoxic free radicals.Contraindications:
– Severe hypersensitivity to drug, other anthracyclines, or anthracenediones
– Baseline ANC<1500/mm³
– Cardiomyopathy and/or heart failure, recent MI, or severe arrhythmias
– Severe myocardial insufficiency
– Cumulative dose achieved in previous anthracycline treatment
– Severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression
– Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C or serum bilirubin level greater than 5 mg/dL) -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Oncology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 13
Correct
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A 21 year old female presents to the clinic with axillary lymphadenopathy and symptoms suggestive of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Which of the following tests should be done?
Your Answer: Excision biopsy of a lymph node
Explanation:Answer: Excision biopsy of a lymph node
Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body. In Hodgkin lymphoma, B-lymphocytes (a particular type of lymphocyte) start to multiply in an abnormal way and begin to collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes (glands). The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making you more vulnerable to infection. The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.
A histologic diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma is always required. An excisional lymph node biopsy is recommended because the lymph node architecture is important for histologic classification.Features of Hodgkin lymphoma include the following:
Asymptomatic lymphadenopathy may be present (above the diaphragm in 80% of patients)
Constitutional symptoms (unexplained weight loss [>10% of total body weight] within the past 6 months, unexplained fever >38º C, or drenching night sweats) are present in 40% of patients; collectively, these are known as B symptoms
Intermittent fever is observed in approximately 35% of cases; infrequently, the classic Pel-Ebstein fever is observed (high fever for 1-2 week, followed by an afebrile period of 1-2 week)
Chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, or a combination of those may be present due to a large mediastinal mass or lung involvement; rarely, haemoptysis occurs
Pruritus may be present
Pain at sites of nodal disease, precipitated by drinking alcohol, occurs in fewer than 10% of patients but is specific for Hodgkin lymphoma
Back or bone pain may rarely occur
A family history is also helpful; in particular, nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma (NSHL) has a strong genetic component and has often previously been diagnosed in the family.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
- Surgical Technique And Technology
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Question 14
Correct
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A 25-year-old woman hits her head on the steering wheel during a collision with another car. She is brought to the A&E department with periorbital swelling and a flattened appearance of the face. What is the most likely injury?
Your Answer: Le Fort III fracture affecting the maxilla
Explanation:The flattened appearance of the face is a classical description of the dish-face deformity associated with Le Fort III fracture of the midface.
The term Le Fort fractures is applied to transverse fractures of the midface involving the maxillary bone and surrounding structures in either a horizontal, pyramidal, or transverse direction. There are three grades of Le Fort fractures:
1. Le Fort I
It is the horizontal fracture of the maxilla. Violent force over a more extensive area above the level of the
teeth will result in this type of fracture. Horizontal fracture line is seen above the apices of the maxillary teeth, detaching the tooth-bearing portion of the maxilla from the rest of the facial skeleton. Floating maxilla and Guerin’s sign is seen in such patients.2. Le Fort II
It is a pyramidal or subzygomatic fracture. Violent force in the central region extending from glabella to the alveolus results in this type of fracture, resulting in ballooning or moon-face facial deformity.3. Le Fort III
It is a high-level transverse or suprazygomatic fracture associated with craniofacial disjunction. The entire facial skeleton moves as a single block as a result of the trauma. The patient develops a characteristic panda facies and dish-face deformity. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 15
Incorrect
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A young lady is taken to the doctor with diarrhoea and crampy abdominal pain after attending a large wedding in the morning. Other individuals who attended the wedding are also affected with the same illness. Which organism would be most likely accountable for this illness?
Your Answer: Salmonella
Correct Answer: Clostridium perfringens
Explanation:Answer: Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a spore-forming gram-positive bacterium that is found in many environmental sources as well as in the intestines of humans and animals. C. perfringens is commonly found on raw meat and poultry. It prefers to grow in conditions with very little or no oxygen, and under ideal conditions can multiply very rapidly. Some strains of C. perfringens produce a toxin in the intestine that causes illness.
Beef, poultry, gravies, and dried or pre-cooked foods are common sources of C. perfringens infections. C. perfringens infection often occurs when foods are prepared in large quantities and kept warm for a long time before serving. Outbreaks often happen in institutions, such as hospitals, school cafeterias, prisons, and nursing homes, or at events with catered food.
People infected with C. perfringens develop diarrhoea and abdominal cramps within 6 to 24 hours (typically 8 to 12 hours). The illness usually begins suddenly and lasts for less than 24 hours. People infected with C. perfringens usually do not have fever or vomiting. The illness is not passed from one person to another.
Although C. perfringens may live normally in the human intestine, illness is caused by eating food contaminated with large numbers of C. perfringens bacteria that produce enough toxin in the intestines to cause illness.C. perfringens can survive high temperatures. During cooling and holding of food at temperatures from 54°F–140°F (12°C–60°C), the bacteria grows. It can grow very rapidly between 109°F–117°F (43°C–47°C). If the food is served without reheating to kill the bacteria, live bacteria may be eaten. The bacteria produce a toxin inside the intestine that causes illness.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 32 year old man has had a total pancreatectomy done. He has severe necrotizing pancreatitis that is unresponsive to conservative therapy. Which statement regarding the physiological effects of a total pancreatectomy on this patient is false?
Your Answer: The patient has a higher risk of developing osteoporosis
Correct Answer: Loss of fat emulsification will result in the malabsorption of vitamins A, C, D, and K
Explanation:Answer: Loss of fat emulsification will result in the malabsorption of vitamins A, C, D, and K
Vitamins are classified as either fat soluble (vitamins A, D, E and K) or water soluble (vitamins B and C). This difference between the two groups is very important. It determines how each vitamin acts within the body. The fat soluble vitamins are soluble in lipids (fats). These vitamins are usually absorbed in fat globules (called chylomicrons) that travel through the lymphatic system of the small intestines and into the general blood circulation within the body. These fat soluble vitamins, especially vitamins A and E, are then stored in body tissues.
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin which makes the statement false.
Primary pancreatic maldigestion of carbohydrate, protein, and fat is caused by decreased activity of amylase, trypsin, and lipase. Pancreatic lipase is an enzyme secreted from the pancreas. As the primary lipase enzyme that hydrolyses dietary fat molecules in the human digestive system, it is one of the main digestive enzymes, converting triglyceride substrates found in ingested oils to monoglycerides and free fatty acids.
The duodenum plays a key role in absorption of vitamins and minerals, and is removed in PD resections. This, in combination with malabsorption and increased metabolic demand, results in increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Routine supplementation of fat soluble vitamin and trace elements are recommended following resection. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 17
Correct
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A 48-year-old male is admitted after his clothing caught fire. He suffers a full-thickness circumferential burn to his lower thigh. He complains of increasing pain in the lower leg and on examination, there is paraesthesia and severe pain in the lower leg. Foot pulses are normal. What is the most likely explanation?
Your Answer: Compartment syndrome
Explanation:Full-thickness circumferential and near-circumferential skin burns result in the formation of a tough, inelastic mass of burnt tissue (eschar). The eschar, by virtue of this inelasticity, results in the burn-induced compartment syndrome. This is caused by the accumulation of extracellular and extravascular fluid within confined anatomic spaces of the extremities or digits. The excessive fluid causes the intracompartmental pressures to increase, resulting in the collapse of the contained vascular and lymphatic structures and, hence, loss of tissue viability.
Most compartment syndromes associated with a burn injury do not present in the immediate postburn period unless there is associated with traumatic injury or the patient presents in a delayed fashion. As such, compartment syndromes after burns are not commonly observed in the emergency department. Instead, they develop during the first 6–12 h of the initial volume resuscitation period as the administered intravascular volume goes into the interstitial and intracellular spaces resulting in tissue oedema in or under the burned tissue.Patients with compartment syndrome typically present with pain whose severity appears out of proportion to the injury. The pain is often described as burning. The pain is also deep and aching in nature and is worsened by passive stretching of the involved muscles. The patient may describe a tense feeling in the extremity. Pain, however, should not be a sine qua non of the diagnosis. In severe trauma, such as an open fracture, it is difficult to differentiate between pain from the fracture and pain resulting from increased compartment pressure.
Paraesthesia or numbness is an unreliable early complaint; however, decreased 2-point discrimination is a more reliable early test and can be helpful to make the diagnosis.
The traditional 5 P’s of acute ischemia in a limb (i.e., pain, paraesthesia, pallor, pulselessness, poikilothermia) are not clinically reliable; they may manifest only in the late stages of compartment syndrome, by which time extensive and irreversible soft tissue damage may have taken place.Escharotomy is the surgical division of the nonviable eschar, which allows the cutaneous envelope to become more compliant. Hence, the underlying tissues have an increased available volume to expand into, preventing further tissue injury or functional compromise
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 18
Correct
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A 32-year-old motorist was involved in a road traffic accident in which he collided head-on with another car at high speed. He was wearing a seatbelt and the airbags were deployed. When rescuers arrived, he was conscious and lucid but died immediately after. What could have explained his death?
Your Answer: Aortic transection
Explanation:Aortic transection was the underlying cause of death in this patient.
Aortic transection, or traumatic aortic rupture, is typically the result of a blunt aortic injury in the context of rapid deceleration. This condition is commonly fatal as blood in the aorta is under great pressure and can quickly escape the vessel through a tear, resulting in rapid haemorrhagic shock and death. A temporary haematoma may prevent the immediate death. Injury to the aorta during a sudden deceleration commonly originates near the terminal section of the aortic arch, also known as the isthmus. This portion lies just distal to the take-off of the left subclavian artery at the intersection of the mobile and fixed portions of the aorta. As many as 80% of the patients with aortic transection die at the scene before reaching a trauma centre for treatment.
A widened mediastinum may be seen on the X-ray of a person with aortic rupture.
Other types of thoracic trauma include:
1. Tension pneumothorax and pneumothorax
2. Haemothorax
3. Flail chest
4. Cardiac tamponade
5. Blunt cardiac injury
6. Pulmonary contusion
7. Diaphragm disruption
8. Mediastinal traversing wounds -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 19
Correct
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A 29-year-old woman is brought to the A&E department with chest pain after being involved in a road traffic accident. Clinical examination is essentially unremarkable and she is discharged. However, she is subsequently found dead at home. What could have been the most likely underlying injury?
Your Answer: Traumatic aortic disruption
Explanation:Aortic injuries not resulting in immediate death may be due to a contained haematoma. Clinical signs are subtle, and diagnosis may not be apparent on clinical examination. Without prompt treatment, the haematoma usually bursts and the patient dies.
Traumatic aortic disruption, or aortic transection, is typically the result of a blunt aortic injury in the context of rapid deceleration. This condition is commonly fatal as blood in the aorta is under great pressure and can quickly escape the vessel through a tear, resulting in rapid haemorrhagic shock and death. A temporary haematoma may prevent the immediate death. Injury to the aorta during a sudden deceleration commonly originates near the terminal section of the aortic arch, also known as the isthmus. This portion lies just distal to the take-off of the left subclavian artery at the intersection of the mobile and fixed portions of the aorta. As many as 80% of the patients with aortic transection die at the scene before reaching a trauma centre for treatment.
A widened mediastinum may be seen on the X-ray of a person with aortic rupture. Other findings on CXR may include:
1. Deviation of trachea/oesophagus to the right
2. Depression of left main stem bronchus
3. Widened paratracheal stripe/paraspinal interfaces
4. Obliteration of space between aorta and pulmonary artery
5. Rib fracture/left haemothoraxDiagnosis can be made by angiography, usually CT aortogram.
Treatment options include repair or replacement. The patient should, ideally, undergo endovascular repair.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 20
Correct
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A 40-year-old male pedestrian is brought to the A&E department after being hit by a car. On examination, he is found to be dyspnoeic and hypoxic despite administration of high flow oxygen therapy. Moreover, his pulse is 115bpm and blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg. The right side of his chest is hyper-resonant on percussion and has decreased breath sounds. His trachea is deviated to the left. What is the most likely underlying diagnosis?
Your Answer: Tension pneumothorax
Explanation:This patient has developed a tension pneumothorax following a blunt trauma.
Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition that develops when air is trapped in the pleural cavity under positive pressure, displacing mediastinal structures and compromising cardiopulmonary function. Blunt or penetrating chest trauma that creates a flap-type defect on the surface of the lung can result in this life-threatening condition.
Signs and symptoms of tension pneumothorax include:
1. Chest pain that usually has a sudden onset, is sharp, and may lead to feeling of tightness in the chest
2. Dyspnoea and progressive hypoxia
3. Tachycardia
4. Hyperventilation
5. Cough
6. FatigueOn examination, hyper-resonant percussion note and tracheal deviation are typically found. Treatment is immediate without waiting for the CXR result and includes needle decompression and chest tube insertion.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 21
Correct
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A young lady is rushed to the A&E department after being stabbed on her way home. She coughs up blood and a drain is placed into the left chest which removes 750ml of frank blood. She fails to improve and has been given 4 units of blood. Her CVP is now 13. What is the best course of action?
Your Answer: Thoracotomy in theatre
Explanation:Answer: Thoracotomy in theatre
A high CVP of 13 indicates cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade is a clinical syndrome caused by the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space, resulting in reduced ventricular filling and subsequent hemodynamic compromise. The condition is a medical emergency, the complications of which include pulmonary oedema, shock, and death.
A pericardiotomy via a thoracotomy is mandatory for lifesaving cardiac decompression in acute traumatic cardiac tamponade in cases of ineffective drainage due to clot formation within the pericardial space. Wherever possible a patient needing surgery for penetrating chest trauma should be moved to an operating theatre where optimal surgical expertise and facilities are available. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 22
Correct
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A woman with type II diabetes is undergoing a bilateral hernia repair as a day-case procedure under general anaesthetic. Which of the following is most appropriate?
Your Answer: They should be placed first on the operating list whenever possible
Explanation:Answer: They should be placed first on the operating list whenever possible
Patients with diet controlled diabetes are all
suitable for day case surgery if the procedure itself
is suitable for day surgery and all other criteria are
fulfilled.
People with diabetes controlled by oral or injected
medication are suitable for day case surgery if:
• They fulfil all day case criteria
• They can be first / early on a morning or afternoon
list.
Prioritise patients with diabetes on the list. This reduces the starvation time and hence the likelihood of the patient requiring a VRIII.Insulin should never be stopped in people with Type 1 diabetes because this will lead to ketoacidosis. If the starvation period is expected to require omission of more than one meal, a variable rate intravenous insulin infusion (VRIII) with concomitant glucose and electrolyte infusion will be required. Insulin requirements are increased by:
• Obesity
• Prolonged or major surgery
• Infection
• Glucocorticoid treatment.
When a VRIII is used, insulin and substrate should be infused continuously. If the infusion is stopped, there will be no insulin present in the circulation after 3-5 minutes leading to immediate catabolism. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 23
Correct
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A 23-year-old male is involved in a road traffic accident. He is thrown from his motorbike onto the pavement and sustains a haemopneumothorax and flail segment of the right chest. What should be the most appropriate course of action?
Your Answer: Insertion of intercostal chest tube
Explanation:This patient requires immediate insertion of an intercostal chest tube and analgesia. In general, all cases of haemopneumothorax should be managed by intercostal chest drain insertion as it can develop into tension pneumothorax until the lung laceration has sealed.
Haemopneumothorax is most frequently caused by a trauma or blunt or penetrating injury to the chest followed by laceration of the lung with air leakage, or injury to the intercostal vessels or internal mammary artery. The main treatment for haemopneumothorax is chest tube thoracostomy (chest tube insertion). Surgical exploration is warranted if >1500ml blood is drained immediately.
Flail chest occurs when the chest wall disconnects from the thoracic cage. It usually follows multiple rib fractures (at least two fractures per rib in at least two ribs) and is associated with pulmonary contusion. Overhydration and fluid overload is avoided in such patients.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 24
Correct
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A 12 year old girl is admitted with severe (35%) burns following a fire at home. She was transferred to the critical care unit after the wound was cleaned and dressed. She became tachycardic and hypotensive one day after skin grafts were done. She has vomited three times and blood was seen in it. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Curling's ulcers
Explanation:Answer: Curling’s ulcers
Curling’s ulcer is an acute gastric erosion resulting as a complication from severe burns when reduced plasma volume leads to ischemia and cell necrosis (sloughing) of the gastric mucosa. The most common mode of presentation of stress ulcer is the onset of acute upper GI bleed like hematemesis or melena in a patient with the acute critical illness.
A similar condition involving elevated intracranial pressure is known as Cushing’s ulcer. Cushing’s ulcer is a gastro-duodenal ulcer produced by elevated intracranial pressure caused by an intracranial tumour, head injury or other space-occupying lesions. The ulcer, usually single and deep, may involve the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Increased intracranial pressure may affect different areas of the hypothalamic nuclei or brainstem leading to overstimulation of the vagus nerve or paralysis of the sympathetic system. Both of these circumstances increase secretion of gastric acid and the likelihood of ulceration of gastro-duodenal mucosa.
Mallory-Weiss syndrome is characterized by upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to longitudinal mucosal lacerations (known as Mallory-Weiss tears) at the gastroesophageal junction or gastric cardia. However, Mallory-Weiss syndrome may occur after any event that provokes a sudden rise in the intragastric pressure or gastric prolapse into the oesophagus, including antecedent transoesophageal echocardiography. Precipitating factors include retching, vomiting, straining, hiccupping, coughing, primal scream therapy, blunt abdominal trauma, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In a few cases, no apparent precipitating factor can be identified. One study reported that 25% of patients had no identifiable risk factors.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 25
Correct
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A 63 year old lawyer presents with marked agitation after undergoing a transurethral resection of the prostate which took one hour to perform. He has a heart rate of 105 beats per minute and his blood pressure is 170/100mmHg. He is suspected to be in a fluid overloaded state. Lab results reveal a sodium level of 120mmol/L. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this presentation?
Your Answer: TURP syndrome
Explanation:Complications of Transurethral Resection: TURP
T URP syndrome
U rethral stricture/UTI
R etrograde ejaculation
P erforation of the prostateTURP syndrome can cause a wide variety of symptoms that include asymptomatic hyponatremia, ECG changes, fatigue, vomiting, confusion, visual loss, coma and death. In a conscious and alert patient, changes in the mental state of may be the first sign of TURP syndrome and bladder perforation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Peri-operative Care
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 26
Incorrect
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A 40-year-old man has a tissue defect measuring 3 x 1 cm, following the excision of a lipoma from the scapula. What should be the best option for managing the wound?
Your Answer: Pedicled skin graft
Correct Answer: Direct primary closure
Explanation:This wound should be managed by primary closure as there is minimal associated tissue loss and the surgery is minor and uncontaminated.
Primary wound closure is the fastest type of closures, and is also known as healing by primary intention. Wounds that heal by primary closure have a small, clean defect that minimizes the risk of infection and requires new blood vessels and keratinocytes to migrate only a small distance. Standard methods of suturing are usually sufficient for primary wound closure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
- Surgical Technique And Technology
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Question 27
Incorrect
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A 24-year-old woman sustains a simple rib fracture resulting from a fall. On examination, a small pneumothorax is found. What should be the most appropriate course of action?
Your Answer: Admission for observation
Correct Answer: Insertion of chest drain
Explanation:For a rib fracture to cause pneumothorax, there must also be laceration to the underlying lung parenchyma. This has the risk of developing into a tension pneumothorax. Therefore, a chest drain should be inserted and the patient admitted.
Pneumothorax is a collection of free air in the chest cavity that causes the lung to collapse. The most common cause of pneumothorax is lung laceration with air leakage. In some instances, the lung continues to leak air into the chest cavity and results in compression of the chest structures, including vessels that return blood to the heart. This is known as a tension pneumothorax and can be fatal if not treated immediately. Blunt or penetrating chest trauma that creates a flap-type defect on the surface of the lung can result in this life-threatening condition.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 28
Incorrect
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A group of surgeons in the colorectal unit wish to identify if there is a significant difference in their individual leak rates for anterior resection of the rectum. Which investigation would be appropriate?
Your Answer: Chi squared test
Correct Answer: Kruskall Wallis test
Explanation:Answer: Kruskall Wallis test
Kruskall Wallis test is a non-parametric method for testing whether samples originate from the same distribution. It is used for comparing two or more independent samples of equal or different sample sizes. It extends the Mann–Whitney U test, which is used for comparing only two groups. The parametric equivalent of the Kruskal–Wallis test is the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
T-tests are useful for comparing the means of two samples. There are two types: paired and unpaired.Paired means that both samples consist of the same test subjects. A paired t-test is equivalent to a one-sample t-test.
Unpaired means that both samples consist of distinct test subjects. An unpaired t-test is equivalent to a two-sample t-test.
A chi-squared test, also written as χ2 test, is any statistical hypothesis test where the sampling distribution of the test statistic is a chi-squared distribution when the null hypothesis is true. The chi-squared test is used to determine whether there is a significant difference between the expected frequencies and the observed frequencies in one or more categories.Fisher’s exact test is a statistical test used to determine if there are non-random associations between two categorical variables.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Management And Legal Issues In Surgery
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 29
Correct
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A 58 year old lady who has had a mastectomy undergoes a breast reconstruction surgery. The breast implant is placed just anterior to her pectoralis major muscle. Which of the following methods of wound closure would be the most appropriate in this case?
Your Answer: Use of a pedicled myocutaneous flap
Explanation:The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF) is one of the most reliable and versatile flaps used in reconstructive surgery. It is known for its use in chest wall and postmastectomy reconstruction and has also been used effectively for coverage of large soft tissue defects in the head and neck, either as a pedicled flap or as a microvascular free flap.
The latissimus dorsi may be transferred as a myofascial flap, a myocutaneous flap, or as a composite osteomyocutaneous flap when harvested with underlying serratus anterior muscle and rib. For even greater reconstructive flexibility, the latissimus can be harvested for free tissue transfer in combination with any or all of the other flaps based on the subscapular vessels (the so-called subscapular compound flap or “mega-flap”), including serratus anterior, scapular, and parascapular flaps
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 30
Correct
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A 24 year old man hits his head during a fall whilst he is intoxicated. He is taken to the doctor and is disorientated despite opening his eyes in response to speech and being able to talk. He is also able to obey motor commands. What would be his Glasgow coma score?
Your Answer: 13
Explanation:Answer: 13
Eye Opening Response
Spontaneous–open with blinking at baseline – 4 points
Opens to verbal command, speech, or shout – 3 points
Opens to pain, not applied to face – 2 point
None – 1 pointVerbal Response
Oriented – 5 points
Confused conversation, but able to answer questions – 4 points
Inappropriate responses, words discernible – 3 points
Incomprehensible speech – 2 points
None – 1 pointMotor Response
Obeys commands for movement – 6 points
Purposeful movement to painful stimulus – 5 points
Withdraws from pain – 4 points
Abnormal (spastic) flexion, decorticate posture – 3 points
Extensor (rigid) response, decerebrate posture – 2 points
None – 1 pointHe is seen to be disorientated despite opening his eyes in response to speech and being able to talk. He is also able to obey motor commands. His score is therefore 13: 3 for eye opening response, 4 for verbal response and 6 for motor response.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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