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Question 1
Incorrect
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A 52 year old man presents to the emergency department with a stab wound to his left iliac fossa. He is hemodynamically unstable and is taken immediately to the OT for emergency laparotomy. During surgery, colonic mesentery is found to be injured that has resulted in the blood loss. The left colon is also injured with signs of local perforation and contamination. Which of the following is the most important aspect of management?
Your Answer: Resect the left colon and perform an end to end anastomosis
Correct Answer: Resect the left colon and construct a left iliac fossa end colostomy
Explanation:Colonic injuries that are managed with resection are associated with a high complication rate regardless of whether an anastomosis or colostomy is performed. Colonic resection and anastomosis can be performed safely in the majority of patients with severe colonic injury, including injuries to the left colon. For injuries of the right colon, an ileocolostomy has a lower incidence of leakage than a colocolonic anastomosis. For injuries to the left colon, there remains a role for colostomy specifically in the subgroups of patients with a high ATI or hypotension, because these patients are at greater risk for an anastomotic leak. The role of resection and primary anastomosis versus colostomy in colonic trauma requires further investigation.
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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 2
Incorrect
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A 29 year old female bus driver presents to her family doctor with severe retrosternal chest pain and recurrent episodes of dysphagia. She states that these occur at irregular intervals and often resolve spontaneously. There are no physical abnormalities on examination and she seems well. What is her diagnosis?
Your Answer: Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Correct Answer: Achalasia
Explanation:Answer: Achalasia
Achalasia is a primary oesophageal motility disorder characterized by the absence of oesophageal peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) in response to swallowing. The LES is hypertensive in about 50% of patients. These abnormalities cause a functional obstruction at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).
Symptoms of achalasia include the following:Dysphagia (most common)
Regurgitation
Chest pain (behind the sternum)
Heartburn
Weight loss
Physical examination is non-contributory.
Treatment recommendations are as follows:
Initial therapy should be either graded pneumatic dilation (PD) or laparoscopic surgical myotomy with a partial fundoplication in patients fit to undergo surgery
Procedures should be performed in high-volume centres of excellence
Initial therapy choice should be based on patient age, sex, preference, and local institutional expertise
Botulinum toxin therapy is recommended for patients not suited to PD or surgery
Pharmacologic therapy can be used for patients not undergoing PD or myotomy and who have failed botulinum toxin therapy (nitrates and calcium channel blockers most common).
The invasion of the oesophageal neural plexus by the tumour can cause nonrelaxation of the LES, thus mimicking achalasia. This condition is known as malignant pseudo achalasia. Since contrast radiography and endoscopy frequently fail to differentiate these 2 entities, patients with a presumed diagnosis of achalasia but who have a shorter duration of symptoms, greater weight loss, and a more advanced age and who are referred for minimally invasive surgery should undergo additional imaging studies, including endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography with fine cuts of the gastroesophageal junction, to rule out cancer.
Effort rupture of the oesophagus, or Boerhaave syndrome, is a spontaneous perforation of the oesophagus that results from a sudden increase in intraoesophageally pressure combined with negative intrathoracic pressure (e.g., severe straining or vomiting). The classic clinical presentation of Boerhaave syndrome usually consists of repeated episodes of retching and vomiting, typically in a middle-aged man with recent excessive dietary and alcohol intake.
These repeated episodes of retching and vomiting are followed by a sudden onset of severe chest pain in the lower thorax and the upper abdomen. The pain may radiate to the back or to the left shoulder. Swallowing often aggravates the pain.
Typically, hematemesis is not seen after oesophageal rupture, which helps to distinguish it from the more common Mallory-Weiss tear.
Swallowing may precipitate coughing because of the communication between the oesophagus and the pleural cavity. Shortness of breath is a common complaint and is due to pleuritic pain or pleural effusion.
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that occurs in the lungs.
It can damage part of the lung due to restricted blood flow, decrease oxygen levels in the blood, and affect other organs as well. Large or multiple blood clots can be fatal.
The most common symptom of a pulmonary embolism is shortness of breath. This may be gradual or sudden.Other symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:
anxiety
clammy or bluish skin
chest pain that may extend into your arm, jaw, neck, and shoulder
fainting
irregular heartbeat
light-headedness
rapid breathing
rapid heartbeat
restlessness
spitting up blood
weak pulse -
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 64 year old diabetic man presents with a deep laceration of his lateral thigh which measures 3cm in depth by 7cm in length, that penetrates to the bone. There are no signs of fracture. His diabetes is diet controlled and is on low dose prednisolone therapy for polymyalgia rheumatica. Which of the following options should be employed most safely for the wound management of this patient?
Your Answer: Primary closure in layers
Correct Answer: Delayed primary closure
Explanation:Delayed primary closure is often intentionally applied to lacerations that are not considered clean enough for immediate primary closure. The wound is left open for 5-10 days; then, it is sutured closed to decrease the risk of wound infection. Improved blood flow at the wound edges, which develops increasingly over the first few days, is another benefit of this style of wound healing and can be associated with progressive increases in resistance to infections. The combination of diabetes and steroids makes wound complications more likely. Despite his high risk, a primary skin graft or flap is unlikely to be a safer option.
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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 4
Incorrect
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A 54-year-old man is brought to the Emergency Department after being found collapsed in the street. He is known to have a history of alcoholic liver disease. Blood tests reveal the following:
Your Answer: Calcium 1.62 mmol/l
Correct Answer: 10ml of 10% calcium chloride over 10 minutes
Explanation:The clinical history combined with parathyroid hormone levels will reveal the cause of hypocalcaemia in the majority of cases
Causes
Vitamin D deficiency (osteomalacia)
Acute pancreatitis
Chronic renal failure
Hypoparathyroidism (e.g. post thyroid/parathyroid surgery)
Pseudohypoparathyroidism (target cells insensitive to PTH)
Rhabdomyolysis (initial stages)
Magnesium deficiency (due to end organ PTH resistance)Management
Acute management of severe hypocalcaemia is with intravenous replacement. The preferred method is with intravenous calcium chloride, 10ml of 10% solution over 10 minutes
ECG monitoring is recommended
Further management depends on the underlying cause
Calcium and bicarbonate should not be administered via the same route -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 5
Incorrect
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A 64 year old man with a history of recurrent anal cancer undergoes a salvage abdominoperineal excision of the anus and rectum. He was treated with radical chemotherapy prior to the procedure. At the conclusion of the surgery, there is a 10cm by 10cm perineal skin defect. Which of the following closure options would be most appropriate in this case?
Your Answer: Rotational skin flap
Correct Answer: Pedicled myocutaneous flap
Explanation:As a reconstructive option after extensive surgery, pedicled musculocutaneous flaps offer several advantages in the setting of previous radiotherapy. Rotational skin flaps will comprise of irradiated tissue and thus won’t heal well.
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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 6
Incorrect
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A 25 year old man is taken to the A&E department after being hit in the head with a batton. He opens his eyes to pain and groans or grunts. He extends his hands at the elbow on application of painful stimulus. What is his Glasgow coma score?
Your Answer: 7
Correct Answer: 6
Explanation:Answer: 6
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 opens his eyes to pain and groans or grunts. He extends his hands at the elbow on application of painful stimulus. This gives him a Glasgow score of 6: eye opening response of 2, verbal response 2 and motor response 2.
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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 7
Incorrect
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A 36 year old female who is admitted in the intensive care unit after being involved in a motor vehicle accident is being considered as an organ donor following discussion with her family. What is not a precondition for the diagnosis of brainstem death?
Your Answer: Tests are performed by two doctors trained in the technique on two separate occasions
Correct Answer: A PaCO2 of > 7 kPa has been documented
Explanation:In adults 50% of the cases of brain death follow severe head injury, 30% are due to subarachnoid haemorrhage and 20% are due to a severe hypoxic-ischaemic event. Thus supra-tentorial catastrophes lead to pressure effect which cause the irretrievable death of the brain-stem.
The Criteria for Diagnosis of Brain-Stem Death
All the pre-conditions must be satisfied and
there should be demonstrably no pharmacological or
metabolic reason for the coma before formally testing the
integrity of the brain-stem reflexes.Pre Conditions
1. The patient is comatose and mechanically ventilated
for apnoea.
2. The diagnosis of structural brain damage has been
established or the immediate cause of coma is known.
3. A period of observation is essential.Exclusions
1. Drugs are not the cause of coma e.g. barbiturates.
Neuromuscular blockade has been demonstrably reversed.
2. Hypothermia does not exist.
3. There is no endocrine or metabolic disturbance.Testing for Brain-Stem Death
Reflexes involving brain-stem function.
1. No pupillary response to light.
2. No corneal reflex.
3. No vestibulo ocular reflex (Caloric test).
4. Doll’s eye reflex
5. No motor response to pain – in the Vth nerve distribution.
6. No gag reflex in response to suction through endotracheal tube or tracheostomy.
7. Apnoea persists despite a rise in PaCO2 to greater than 50 mmHg (6.6kPa) against a background of a normal PaO2.Diagnosis is to be made by two doctors who have been registered for more than five years and are competent in the procedure. At least one should be a consultant. Testing should be undertaken by the doctors together and must always be performed completely and successfully on two occasions in total.
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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 8
Correct
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A young man is involved in a motorcycle accident in which he is thrown several metres in the air before dropping to the ground. He is found with two fractures in the 2nd and 3rd rib and his chest movements are irregular. Which of the following is the most likely underlying condition?
Your Answer: Flail chest injury
Explanation:Answer: Flail chest injury
Flail chest is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when a segment of the rib cage breaks due to trauma and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall. Two of the symptoms of flail chest are chest pain and shortness of breath.
It occurs when multiple adjacent ribs are broken in multiple places, separating a segment, so a part of the chest wall moves independently. The number of ribs that must be broken varies by differing definitions: some sources say at least two adjacent ribs are broken in at least two places, some require three or more ribs in two or more places. The flail segment moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest wall: because of the ambient pressure in comparison to the pressure inside the lungs, it goes in while the rest of the chest is moving out, and vice versa. This so-called paradoxical breathing is painful and increases the work involved in breathing.
Flail chest is usually accompanied by a pulmonary contusion, a bruise of the lung tissue that can interfere with blood oxygenation. Often, it is the contusion, not the flail segment, that is the main cause of respiratory problems in people with both injuries.
Surgery to fix the fractures appears to result in better outcomes.
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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 9
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 10
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 11
Incorrect
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A 20 year old lady is involved in a motor vehicle accident in which her car crashes head on into a truck. She complains of severe chest pain and a chest x-ray performed as part of a trauma series shows widening of the mediastinum. Which of the following is the most likely injury that she has sustained?
Your Answer: Rupture of the left main bronchus
Correct Answer: Rupture of the aorta distal to the left subclavian artery
Explanation:Answer: Rupture of the aorta distal to the left subclavian artery
Aortic rupture is typically the result of a blunt aortic injury in the context of rapid deceleration. After traumatic brain injury, blunt aortic rupture is the second leading cause of death following blunt trauma. Thus, 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, exsanguination, and death.
Traumatic aortic transection or rupture is associated with a sudden and rapid deceleration of the heart and the aorta within the thoracic cavity. Anatomically, the heart and great vessels (superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, and aorta) are mobile within the thoracic cavity and not fixed to the chest wall, unlike the descending abdominal aorta. 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. -
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
Correct
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A 27-year-old man presents to the A&E department with a headache and odd behaviour after being hit on the side of his head by a bat. Whilst waiting for a CT scan, he becomes drowsy and unresponsive. What is the most likely underlying injury?
Your Answer: Extradural haematoma
Explanation:Extradural haematoma is the most likely cause of this patient’s symptomology. The middle meningeal artery is prone to damage when the temporal side of the head is hit.
Patients who suffer head injuries should be managed according to ATLS principles and extracranial injuries should be managed alongside cranial trauma. Inadequate cardiac output compromises the CNS perfusion, irrespective of the nature of cranial injury.
An extradural haematoma is a collection of blood in the space between the skull and the dura mater. It often results from acceleration-deceleration trauma or a blow to the side of the head. The majority of extradural haematomas occur in the temporal region where skull fractures cause a rupture of the middle meningeal artery. There is often loss of consciousness following a head injury, a brief regaining of consciousness, and then loss of consciousness again—lucid interval. Other symptoms may include headache, confusion, vomiting, and an inability to move parts of the body. Diagnosis is typically by a CT scan or MRI, and treatment is generally by urgent surgery in the form of a craniotomy or burr hole.
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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 13
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: Amiodarone
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 14
Incorrect
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A 46-year-old male complains of sharp chest pain. He is due to have elective surgery to replace his left hip. He has been bed-bound for 3 months. He suddenly collapses; his blood pressure is 70/40mmHg, heart rate 120 bpm and his saturations are 74% on air. He is deteriorating in front of you. What is the next best management plan?
Your Answer: Unfractionated heparin
Correct Answer: Thrombolysis with Alteplase
Explanation:The patient has Pulmonary embolism (PE).
PE is when a thrombus becomes lodged in an artery in the lung and blocks blood flow to the lung. Pulmonary embolism usually arises from a thrombus that originates in the deep venous system of the lower extremities; however, it rarely also originates in the pelvis, renal, upper extremity veins, or the right heart chambers. After travelling to the lung, large thrombi can lodge at the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery or the lobar branches and cause hemodynamic compromise.
The classic presentation of PE is the abrupt onset of pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, and hypoxia. However, most patients with pulmonary embolism have no obvious symptoms at presentation. Rather, symptoms may vary from sudden catastrophic hemodynamic collapse to gradually progressive dyspnoea.
Physical signs of pulmonary embolism include the following:
Tachypnoea (respiratory rate >16/min): 96%
Rales: 58%
Accentuated second heart sound: 53%
Tachycardia (heart rate >100/min): 44%
Fever (temperature >37.8°C [100.04°F]): 43%
Diaphoresis: 36%
S3 or S4 gallop: 34%
Clinical signs and symptoms suggesting thrombophlebitis: 32%
Lower extremity oedema: 24%
Cardiac murmur: 23%
Cyanosis: 19%
Management
Anticoagulation and thrombolysis
Immediate full anticoagulation is mandatory for all patients suspected of having DVT or PE. Diagnostic investigations should not delay empirical anticoagulant therapy.
Thrombolytic therapy should be used in patients with acute pulmonary embolism who have hypotension (systolic blood pressure< 90 mm Hg) who do not have a high bleeding risk and in selected patients with acute pulmonary embolism not associated with hypotension who have a low bleeding risk and whose initial clinical presentation or clinical course suggests a high risk of developing hypotension.
Long-term anticoagulation is critical to the prevention of recurrence of DVT or pulmonary embolism because even in patients who are fully anticoagulated, DVT and pulmonary embolism can and often do recur.
Thrombolytic agents used in managing pulmonary embolism include the following:
– Alteplase
– ReteplaseHeparin should be given to patients with intermediate or high clinical probability before imaging.
Unfractionated heparin (UFH) should be considered (a) as a first dose bolus, (b) in massive PE, or (c) where rapid reversal of effect may be needed.
Otherwise, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) should be considered as preferable to UFH, having equal efficacy and safety and being easier to use.
Oral anticoagulation should only be commenced once venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been reliably confirmed.
The target INR should be 2.0–3.0; when this is achieved, heparin can be discontinued.
The standard duration of oral anticoagulation is: 4–6 weeks for temporary risk factors, 3 months for first idiopathic, and at least 6 months for other; the risk of bleeding should be balanced with that of further VTE. -
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
Correct
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A 30-year-old man sustains a severe facial fracture, and reconstruction is planned. Which of the following investigations will facilitate preoperative planning?
Your Answer: Computerised tomography of the head
Explanation:Significant facial fractures may have an intracranial effect. Computerised tomography (CT) scan of the head allows delineation of the injury extent, and a 3D reconstruction of images can be done. An Orthopantomogram (OPT) provides good images of mandible and surrounding bony structures but cannot give intracranial details. X-ray of the skull lacks the details important in modern practice.
Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) injuries in the UK are due to:
1. Interpersonal violence (52%)
2. Motor vehicle accidents (16%)
3. Sporting injuries (19%)
4. Falls (11%) -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 16
Incorrect
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A 62 year old alcoholic man presents with worsening confusion over the last two weeks. He has felt weakness of the left side of the body. Which of the following explanations would be the least likely?
Your Answer: Wernicke's encephalopathy and CVA
Correct Answer: Extra dural haematoma
Explanation:Extradural haematoma (EDH) is defined as an acute bleed between the dura mater and the inner surface of the skull. This then causes increased intracranial pressure, which puts vital brain structures at risk. The question asks for the least likely cause, and extradural hematoma would be acute in onset.
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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 17
Correct
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A 64 year old woman arrives at the emergency department with acute bowel obstruction. She complains of vomiting up to 15 times per day and is currently taking erythromycin. She is now complaining of dizziness that is sudden in onset. ECG shows torsades de pointes. Which of the following is the most appropriate step in her management?
Your Answer: IV Magnesium sulphate
Explanation:Torsade de pointes is an uncommon and distinctive form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) characterized by a gradual change in the amplitude and twisting of the QRS complexes around the isoelectric line. Torsade de pointes, often referred to as torsade, is associated with a prolonged QT interval, which may be congenital or acquired. Torsade usually terminates spontaneously but frequently recurs and may degenerate into ventricular fibrillation. This woman is likely to have hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia as a result of vomiting. In addition to this, the erythromycin will predispose her to torsades de pointes. The patient should be given Magnesium 2g over 10 minutes. Knowledge of the management of this peri arrest diagnosis is hence important in surgical practice.
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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
Incorrect
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A 29-year-old man with gunshot to the abdomen is transferred to the operating theatre, following his arrival in the A&E department. He is unstable and his FAST scan is positive. During the operation, extensive laceration to the right lobe of the liver and involvement of the IVC are found, along with massive haemorrhage. What should be the most appropriate approach to blood component therapy?
Your Answer: Transfuse packed cells, FFP, and platelets in fixed ratio of 1:1:1
Correct Answer:
Explanation:There is strong evidence to support haemostatic resuscitation in the setting of massive haemorrhage due to trauma. This advocates the use of 1:1:1 ratio.
Uncontrolled haemorrhage accounts for up to 39% of all trauma-related deaths. In the UK, approximately 2% of all trauma patients need massive transfusion. Massive transfusion is defined as the replacement of a patient’s total blood volume in less than 24 hours or the acute administration of more than half the patient’s estimated blood volume per hour. During acute bleeding, the practice of haemostatic resuscitation has been shown to reduce mortality rates. It is based on the principle of transfusion of blood components in fixed ratios. For example, packed red cells, FFP, and platelets are administered in a ratio of 1:1:1.
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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 19
Incorrect
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A young lady is taken to the A&E department after she falls from the 3rd floor balcony. A chest x-ray shows depression of the left main bronchus and deviation of the trachea to the right. What is the most likely injury that she sustained?
Your Answer: Tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer: Aortic rupture
Explanation:Answer: Aortic rupture
Aortic rupture is typically the result of a blunt aortic injury in the context of rapid deceleration. After traumatic brain injury, blunt aortic rupture is the second leading cause of death following blunt trauma. Thus, 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, exsanguination, and death. Traumatic aortic transection or rupture is associated with a sudden and rapid deceleration of the heart and the aorta within the thoracic cavity.
Features on plain chest radiography that suggest aortic injury and can help guide the further use of angiography include; an abnormal aortic arch contour, left apical cap, loss of the aorticopulmonary window, rightward deviation of the trachea, depression of the left main stem bronchus, and a wide left paravertebral pleural stripe. Also, widening of the mediastinum (greater than 8 cm) has a reported sensitivity of 81% to 100% and a specificity of 60%. -
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 28-year-old electrician is brought to the A&E department after a high-voltage full-thickness burn to his left leg. His urinalysis shows haematuria 1+ and his blood reports show mild hyperkalaemia and serum CK level of 3000 U/L. What is the most likely explanation?
Your Answer: Rhabdomyolysis
Explanation:High-voltage electrical burns are associated with rhabdomyolysis. Acute tubular necrosis may also occur.
Electrical burns occur following exposure to electrical current. Full-thickness burns are third-degree burns. With these types of burns, the epidermal and dermal layers of skin are destroyed, and the damage may even penetrate the layer of fat beneath the skin.
Following the burn, there is a local response with progressive tissue loss and release of inflammatory cytokines. Systemically, there are cardiovascular effects resulting from fluid loss and sequestration of fluid into the third space. There is a marked catabolic response as well. Immunosuppression is common with large burns, and bacterial translocation from the gut lumen is a recognised event. Sepsis is a common cause of death following major burns.
After the initial management and depth assessment of the burn, the patient is transferred to burn centre if:
1. Needs burn shock resuscitation
2. Face/hands/genitals affected
3. Deep partial-thickness or full-thickness burns
4. Significant electrical/chemical burnsManagement options include:
1. The initial aim is to stop the burning process and resuscitate the patient. Adults with burns greater than 15% of total body surface area require burn fluid resuscitation. Fluids administration is calculated using the Parkland formula. Half of the fluid is administered in the first eight hours. A urinary catheter should be inserted and analgesics should be started.2. Conservative management is appropriate for superficial burns and mixed superficial burns that will heal in two weeks. More complex burns may require excision and skin grafting. Excision and primary closure is not generally practised as there is a high risk of infection.
3. Circumferential full-thickness burns affecting a limb or severe torso burns impeding respiration may require escharotomy to divide the burnt tissue.
4. There is no evidence to support the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis or topical antibiotics in burn 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 21
Correct
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A 21 year old intravenous drug abuser is recovering following surgical drainage of a psoas abscess. She is found collapsed and unresponsive in the bathroom with pinpoint pupils. Which of the following is the best step in immediate management?
Your Answer: Intravenous naloxone
Explanation:Answer: Intravenous naloxone
Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent overdose by opioids such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. It blocks opioid receptor sites, reversing the toxic effects of the overdose. Naloxone is administered when a patient is showing signs of opioid overdose. The medication can be given by intranasal spray, intramuscular (into the muscle), subcutaneous (under the skin), or intravenous injection.
Several conditions and drugs can cause pinpoint pupils, including:
Prescription opioids or narcotics
Some medications have opioids or narcotics in them. Opioids, including morphine, are drugs commonly used for pain relief. Opioids can affect a person psychologically and are highly addictive.People often take prescription opioids in pill form to treat severe post-surgical pain, such as from dental surgery, or for long-term pain, as with some cancers.
Prescription opioids that may cause pinpoint pupils include:
oxycodone
morphine
hydrocodone
codeine
methadone -
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
Incorrect
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A 56 year old man presents to the emergency with a type IIIc Gustilo and Anderson fracture of distal tibia after being involved in a road traffic accident. He was trapped under the wreckage for about 7 hours and had been bleeding profusely from the fracture site during this time. He is found to have an established neurovascular deficit. Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?
Your Answer: Application of external fixator and arterial reconstruction
Correct Answer: Amputation
Explanation:A below-knee amputation (“BKA”) is a transtibial amputation that involves removing the foot, ankle joint, and distal tibia and fibula with related soft tissue structures. In general, a BKA is preferred over an above-knee amputation (AKA), as the former has better rehabilitation and functional outcomes. There are three major categories of indications for proceeding with a BKA. These include:
– Urgent cases where source control of necrotizing infections or haemorrhagic injuries outweighs limb preservation.
– Less acutely, urgent BKAs may be performed for chronic nonhealing ulcers or significant infections with the risk of impending systemic infection or sepsis.
– Urgent BKAs may be performed where limb salvage has failed to preserve a mangled lower extremity. Adequate resuscitation and stabilization must always have occurred before such a decision, as judged by vital signs, lactate, base deficit, and the management of concomitant injuries.
This man is hemodynamically unstable and the limb is likely to be non-viable after so many hours of entrapment. Hence, the safest option would be primary amputation of the injured limb. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 23
Correct
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A 39-year-old woman is involved in a road traffic accident and sustains a significant laceration to the lateral aspect of the nose, associated with tissue loss. What should be the best management option?
Your Answer: Rotational skin flap
Explanation:Nasal injuries can be challenging to manage and where there is tissue loss, it can be difficult to primarily close them and obtain a satisfactory aesthetic result. Debridement together with a rotational skin flap would produce the best results.
A rotation flap is a semi-circular skin flap that is rotated into the defect on a fulcrum point. It provides the ability to mobilize large areas of tissue with a wide vascular base for reconstruction. Rotation flaps may be pedicled or free. Pedicled flaps are more reliable but are limited in the range of movement. Free flaps have increased range but carry greater risk of breakdown as they require vascular anastomosis.
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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
Incorrect
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A 9 year old girl is admitted to the A&E department after having a fall. Her blood pressure is 101/56 mmHg, pulse is 91 and her abdomen is soft but tender on the left side. Imaging shows that there is a grade III splenic laceration. What is the best course of action?
Your Answer: Undertake an immediate laparotomy and splenectomy
Correct Answer: Admit the child to the high dependency unit for close monitoring
Explanation:Answer: Admit the child to the high dependency unit for close monitoring.
Grade 3: This mid-stage rupture is a tear more than 3 cm deep. It can also involve the splenic artery or a hematoma that covers over half of the surface area. A grade 3 rupture can also mean that a hematoma is present in the organ tissue that is greater than 5 cm or expanding.
The trend in management of splenic injury continues to favour nonoperative or conservative management.
Most haemodynamically stable injuries can be managed non-operatively (especially Grades I to III). -
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
Incorrect
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A 55-year old male type 2 diabetic is admitted to the vascular ward for a femoral-popliteal bypass. He suddenly develops expressive dysphasia and marked right-sided weakness. The Senior house officer arranges a CT head scan which shows a 60% left middle cerebral artery territory infarct. There are no beds on the stroke unit. Overnight the patient becomes unresponsive and a CT head confirms no bleed. What is the next best management option?
Your Answer: Burr hole surgery
Correct Answer: Hemicranieotomy
Explanation:In 1–10% of all patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion, the subsequent ischemic stroke can be classified as “malignant,” defined by ischemic brain tissue large enough to cause a considerable increase of ICP and potential cerebral herniation.
Clinically, the patients present with severe hemispheric symptoms including hemiparesis or hemiplegia, loss of visual field, gaze deviation and, depending on the affected hemisphere, neglect or aphasia. Patients may also show an impaired level of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, papillary changes and papilledema as signs of increased ICP.
Decompressive craniectomy is the only therapeutic approach that is based on data of large randomized controlled trials in this condition. Decompressive craniectomy reduces the mortality rate in these patients, however leaving the majority of patients with at least some disability. Other treatment options like osmotherapy may be used in an individual risk-benefit-assessment, but evidence for these treatments and procedures is scarce. -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 26
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 27
Correct
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A 44 year old woman suffers 20% partial and full thickness burns in a garage fire. There is also an associated inhalational injury. Her doctors have decided to administer intravenous fluids to replace fluid loss. Which of the following intravenous fluids should be used for initial resuscitation?
Your Answer: Hartmann's solution
Explanation:The goal of fluid management in major burn injuries is to maintain the tissue perfusion in the early phase of burn shock, in which hypovolemia finally occurs due to steady fluid extravasation from the intravascular compartment.
Burn injuries of less than 20% are associated with minimal fluid shifts and can generally be resuscitated with oral hydration, except in cases of facial, hand and genital burns, as well as burns in children and the elderly. As the total body surface area (TBSA) involved in the burn approaches 15–20%, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome is initiated and massive fluid shifts, which result in burn oedema and burn shock, can be expected.
The ideal burn resuscitation is the one that effectively restores plasma volume, with no adverse effects. Isotonic crystalloids, hypertonic solutions and colloids have been used for this purpose, but every solution has its advantages and disadvantages. None of them is ideal, and none is superior to any of the others.
Crystalloids are readily available and cheaper than some of the other alternatives. RL solution, Hartmann solution (a solution similar to RL solution) and normal saline are commonly used. There are some adverse effects of the crystalloids: high volume administration of normal saline produces hyperchloremic acidosis, RL increases the neutrophil activation after resuscitation for haemorrhage or after infusion without haemorrhage. d-lactate in RL solution containing a racemic mixture of the d-lactate and l-lactate isomers has been found to be responsible for increased production of ROS. RL used in the majority of hospitals contains this mixture. Another adverse effect that has been demonstrated is that crystalloids have a substantial influence on coagulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that in vivo dilution with crystalloids (independent of the type of the crystalloid) resulted in a hypercoagulable state.
Despite these adverse effects, the most commonly used fluid for burn resuscitation in the UK and Ireland is Hartmann’s solution (adult units 76%, paediatric units 75%). Another study has revealed that RL is the most popular type of fluid in burn units located in USA and Canada. -
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
Correct
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A 31-year-old woman who is 30 weeks pregnant presents with sudden onset of chest pain associated with loss of consciousness. On examination, she is afebrile and her heart rate is 120 bpm, blood pressure is 170/90 mmHg, and saturation is 93% on 15L oxygen. Furthermore, an early diastolic murmur and occasional bibasilar crepitations are auscultated and mild pedal oedema is observed. Her ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Aortic dissection
Explanation:The most likely diagnosis is aortic dissection.
Aortic dissection occurs following a tear in the aortic intima with subsequent separation of the tissue within the weakened media by the propagation of blood. There are four different classifications of aortic dissection and the commonest one used is the Stanford classification dividing them into type A and type B. A type A dissection involves the ascending aorta and/or the arch whilst type B dissection involves only the descending aorta and occurs distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery.
Aortic dissection in pregnancy occurs most commonly in the third trimester due to the hyperdynamic state and hormonal effect on vasculature. Other common predisposing factors for aortic dissection include Marfans syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and bicuspid aortic valve. Aortic dissection often presents with sudden severe, tearing chest pain, vomiting, and syncope, most often from acute pericardial tamponade. The patient may be hypertensive, clinically. The right coronary artery may become involved in the dissection, causing myocardial infarct in up to 2% of the cases (hence ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads). An aortic regurgitant murmur may be auscultated.
The management options during pregnancy include:
1. <28 weeks of gestation: aortic repair with the foetus kept in utero
2. 28–32 weeks of gestation: dependent on foetal condition
3. >32 weeks of gestation: caesarean section followed by aortic repair in the same operation -
This question is part of the following fields:
- Emergency Medicine And Management Of Trauma
- Principles Of Surgery-in-General
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Question 29
Incorrect
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A 42 year old lawyer is rushed to the emergency room after she was found lying unconscious on her left arm with an empty bottle of Diazepam beside her. Her left arm has red and purple marks and is swollen. Her hand is stiff and insensate. Which of the following substances would be expected to be present in her urine in increased quantities?
Your Answer: Erythrocytes
Correct Answer: Myoglobin
Explanation:Answer: Myoglobin
When muscle is damaged, a protein called myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. It is then filtered out of the body by the kidneys. Myoglobin breaks down into substances that can damage kidney cells.
Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.Compartment syndrome can be either acute or chronic.
Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency. It is usually caused by a severe injury. Without treatment, it can lead to permanent muscle damage.
Chronic compartment syndrome, also known as exertional compartment syndrome, is usually not a medical emergency. It is most often caused by athletic exertion. Compartments are groupings of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in your arms and legs. Covering these tissues is a tough membrane called a fascia. The role of the fascia is to keep the tissues in place, and, therefore, the fascia does not stretch or expand easily.
Compartment syndrome develops when swelling or bleeding occurs within a compartment. Because the fascia does not stretch, this can cause increased pressure on the capillaries, nerves, and muscles in the compartment. Blood flow to muscle and nerve cells is disrupted. Without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, nerve and muscle cells can be damaged.In acute compartment syndrome, unless the pressure is relieved quickly, permanent disability and tissue death may result. This does not usually happen in chronic (exertional) compartment syndrome.
Compartment syndrome most often occurs in the anterior (front) compartment of the lower leg (calf). It can also occur in other compartments in the leg, as well as in the arms, hands, feet, and buttocks.
Acute compartment syndrome usually develops after a severe injury, such as a car accident or a broken bone. Rarely, it develops after a relatively minor injury.
Conditions that may bring on acute compartment syndrome include:
A fracture.
A badly bruised muscle. This type of injury can occur when a motorcycle falls on the leg of the rider, or a football player is hit in the leg with another player’s helmet.
Re-established blood flow after blocked circulation. This may occur after a surgeon repairs a damaged blood vessel that has been blocked for several hours. A blood vessel can also be blocked during sleep. Lying for too long in a position that blocks a blood vessel, then moving or waking up can cause this condition. Most healthy people will naturally move when blood flow to a limb is blocked during sleep. The development of compartment syndrome in this manner usually occurs in people who are neurologically compromised. This can happen after severe intoxication with alcohol or other drugs.
Crush injuries.
Anabolic steroid use. Taking steroids is a possible factor in compartment syndrome.
Constricting bandages. Casts and tight bandages may lead to compartment syndrome. If symptoms of compartment syndrome develop, remove or loosen any constricting bandages. -
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
Incorrect
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A 20 year old man is involved in a car accident where he is thrown out of the car. He is seen with distended neck veins and a weak pulse on admission. The trachea is central. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Your Answer: Aortic transection
Correct Answer: Hemopericardium
Explanation:Answer: Hemopericardium
Hemopericardium refers to the presence of blood within the pericardial cavity, i.e. a sanguineous pericardial effusion. If enough blood enters the pericardial cavity, then a potentially fatal cardiac tamponade can occur. There is a very long list of causes but some of the more common are:
-ruptured myocardial infarction
-ruptured left ventricular aneurysm
-aortic dissection
-pericarditis
-trauma
-blunt/penetrating/deceleration
-iatrogenic, e.g. pacemaker wire insertion
-cardiac malignancies
-ruptured coronary artery aneurysm
-post-thrombolysisCardiac 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.
Symptoms vary with the acuteness and underlying cause of the tamponade. Patients with acute tamponade may present with dyspnoea, tachycardia, and tachypnoea. Cold and clammy extremities from hypoperfusion are also observed in some patients. Other symptoms and signs may include the following:
Elevated jugular venous pressurePulsus paradoxus
Chest pressure
Decreased urine output
Confusion
Dysphoria
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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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