Perioperative care: postoperative ileus: 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 · Perioperative care: postoperative ileus

Sample item

After abdominal surgery, diffuse distension, absent bowel sounds and no transition point on imaging most likely represent what?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Postoperative ileus

Postoperative ileus is transient gut hypomotility after surgery, often causing diffuse gaseous dilatation without a focal transition point. Mechanical obstruction needs separate assessment.

Option by option

  • A. Acute appendicitis

    Appendicitis does not explain the postoperative diffuse pattern.

  • B. Mechanical strangulating obstruction

    Strangulation more often has focal obstruction and systemic deterioration.

  • C. Acute cholecystitis

    Cholecystitis causes right-upper-quadrant symptoms.

  • D. Postoperative ileus (correct)

    Correct. Diffuse hypomotility after surgery fits ileus.

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 D, Postoperative ileus. Postoperative ileus is transient gut hypomotility after surgery, often causing diffuse gaseous dilatation without a focal transition point.

Why is "Acute appendicitis" not the answer?

Appendicitis does not explain the postoperative diffuse pattern.

Why is "Mechanical strangulating obstruction" not the answer?

Strangulation more often has focal obstruction and systemic deterioration.

Why is "Acute cholecystitis" not the answer?

Cholecystitis causes right-upper-quadrant symptoms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Perioperative care: postoperative ileus in General Surgery. Mechanical obstruction needs separate assessment.

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 Perioperative care: postoperative ileus?

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.