Surgical Clinical Reasoning MCQs

Postoperative atelectasis is collapse of alveoli after surgery, promoted by pain, shallow breathing and immobility.

Acute limb ischaemia is a sudden fall in limb perfusion causing pain, pallor, pulselessness and neurological compromise.

Deep-vein thrombosis prophylaxis is mechanical or pharmacological measures used to reduce perioperative venous thromboembolism.

Intestinal perforation is a full-thickness breach of bowel that may release contents into the peritoneal cavity.

Necrotising soft-tissue infection is a rapidly progressive infection causing fascial and tissue necrosis and requiring urgent surgery.

Thyroidectomy is surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland.

Splenectomy is surgical removal of the spleen, increasing long-term risk from encapsulated bacteria.

Damage-control surgery is abbreviated surgery to control bleeding and contamination in a physiologically unstable trauma patient.

Haemorrhagic shock is circulatory failure caused by acute blood loss and inadequate tissue perfusion.

Tension pneumothorax is progressive pressurised pleural air causing respiratory compromise and obstructive shock.

Acute appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix often producing migratory right-lower-quadrant pain.

Surgical site infection is infection involving an incision or operated space after a surgical procedure.