85% OFFLimited time offer
GET 85% OFF
ChapterSurgery Oncologic Surgery Principles

Palliative surgical procedures

Free notes, MCQs, tables & flowcharts for USMLE Step 3 Surgery

10Questions
8Flashcards
3Tables & Flowcharts

Sample Questions

1

A 43-year-old Caucasian woman is admitted to the hospital with acute onset right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain. The pain started 6 hours ago after the patient had a large meal at a birthday party and has progressively worsened. She recalls having similar pain before but not so intense. No significant past medical history. Current medications are only oral contraceptive. Vitals are blood pressure 140/80 mm Hg, heart rate 79/min, respiratory rate 14/min, and temperature 37.6℃ (99.7℉). The patient’s BMI is 36.3 kg/m2. On exam, the patient appears slightly jaundiced. Her cardiac and respiratory examinations are within normal limits. Abdominal palpation reveals tenderness to palpation in the RUQ with no rebound or guarding, and there is an inspiratory arrest on deep palpation in this region. The remainder of the examination is within normal limits. Laboratory tests are significant for the following: RBC count 4.1 million/mm3 Hb 13.4 mg/dL Leukocyte count 11,200/mm3 ESR 22 mm/hr Platelet count 230,000/mm3 Total bilirubin 2 mg/dL Direct bilirubin 1.1 mg/dL ALT 20 IU/L AST 18 IU/L Amylase 33 IU/L Ultrasound of the abdomen shows the following result (see image): The common bile duct (CBD) (not shown in the image) is not dilated. Which of the following procedures is most appropriate for the treatment of this patient?

AShock wave lithotripsy

BLaparoscopic cholecystectomy

CEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

DPercutaneous cholecystostomy

2

A 53-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of weakness and abdominal pain for 24 hours. She has had three bowel movements with dark stool during this period. She has not had vomiting and has never had such episodes in the past. She underwent a tubal ligation 15 years ago. She has chronic lower extremity lymphedema, osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Her father died of colon cancer at the age of 72 years. Current medications include metformin, naproxen, and calcium with vitamin D3. She had a screening colonoscopy at 50 years of age which was normal. She appears pale and diaphoretic. Her temperature is 36°C (96.8°F), pulse is 110/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 98%. The abdomen is soft and nondistended with mild epigastric tenderness. Rectal exam shows tarry stool. Two large bore IV lines are placed and fluid resuscitation with normal saline is initiated. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

AEsophagogastroduodenoscopy

BCT scan of the abdomen with contrast

CFlexible sigmoidoscopy

DDiagnostic laparoscopy

EColonoscopy

3

A 19-year-old woman is diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma. She has undergone multiple treatments without improvement. She decides to stop treatment and pursue only palliative care. She is of sound mind and has weighed the benefits and risks of this decision. The patient’s mother objects and insists that treatments be continued. What should be done?

ATry to seek additional experimental treatments that are promising.

BFollow the wishes of the patient’s mother as she has decision making power for the patient.

CContinue treatments until the patient has a psychiatric evaluation.

DContinue treatment because otherwise, the patient will die.

EHalt treatments and begin palliative care.

+ 7 more in the PDF

More Oncologic Surgery Principles downloads

Browse all chapters

View all