Chapter·SurgeryAbdominal emergencies

Large bowel obstructionDownloads

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Sample Questions

1

A 70-year-old man comes to the clinic for generalized fatigue. He says that he is more tired than before and has difficulty catching his breath while walking upstairs. He feels tired quickly doing his usual activity such as gardening and shopping. He does not have any symptoms of fever, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or weight loss. His appetite is normal. His last colonoscopy was done 10 years ago and it was normal. His blood pressure is 116/74 and heart rate is 87/min. On physical examination, his conjunctivae are pale. A routine blood test shows iron deficiency anemia with hemoglobin of 10 gm/dL. His stool is positive for occult blood. He is then sent for a colonoscopy (image is shown). What is the most likely diagnosis for the above condition?

AColon cancer

BAngiodysplasia

CIntestinal obstruction

DHereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

EDiverticulitis

2

A 60-year-old patient presents to the urgent care clinic with complaints of pain and abdominal distention for the past several weeks. The pain began with a change in bowel habits 3 months ago, and he gradually defecated less until he became completely constipated, which led to increasing pain and distention. He also mentions that he has lost weight during this period, even though he has not changed his diet. When asked about his family history, the patient reveals that his brother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 65 years of age. An abdominal radiograph and CT scan were done which confirmed the diagnosis of obstruction. Which of the following locations in the digestive tract are most likely involved in this patient’s disease process?

ASmall bowel

BAscending colon

CRectum

DSigmoid colon

ECecum

3

A 68-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department with intense abdominal pain for the past 2 hours. She has had 1 episode of bloody diarrhea recently. She has an 18-year history of diabetes mellitus. She was diagnosed with hypertension and ischemic heart disease 6 years ago. She is fully alert and oriented. Her temperature is 37.5°C (99.5°F), blood pressure is 145/90 mm Hg, pulse is 78/min, and respirations are 14/min. Abdominal examination shows mild generalized abdominal tenderness without guarding or rebound tenderness. An abdominal plain X-ray shows no abnormalities. Abdominal CT reveals colonic wall thickening and pericolonic fat stranding in the splenic curvature. Bowel rest, intravenous hydration, and IV antibiotics are initiated. Which of the following is the most important diagnostic evaluation at this time?

AAngiography

BGastrografin-enhanced X-ray

CLaparotomy

DInpatient observation

ESigmoidoscopy

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