Postoperative bowel care: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Postoperative bowel care

Sample item

What symptom may indicate postoperative ileus?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Distension with absent flatus

Postoperative ileus is temporary reduction of bowel motility and often presents with abdominal distension, nausea, reduced bowel sounds, and failure to pass flatus.

Option by option

  • A. Painless red eye

    Red eye is unrelated to postoperative bowel function.

  • B. Ringing in ears

    Tinnitus does not indicate ileus.

  • C. Distension with absent flatus (correct)

    Correct: distension with no flatus is typical of postoperative ileus.

  • D. Sudden improved appetite

    Improved appetite does not suggest impaired gut motility.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Distension with absent flatus. Postoperative ileus is temporary reduction of bowel motility and often presents with abdominal distension, nausea, reduced bowel sounds, and failure to pass flatus.

Why is "Painless red eye" not the answer?

Red eye is unrelated to postoperative bowel function.

Why is "Ringing in ears" not the answer?

Tinnitus does not indicate ileus.

Why is "Sudden improved appetite" not the answer?

Improved appetite does not suggest impaired gut motility.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postoperative bowel care in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct: distension with no flatus is typical of postoperative ileus.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Postoperative bowel care?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.