Trauma surgery: diaphragmatic rupture: 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 · Trauma surgery: diaphragmatic rupture

Sample item

After high-energy left thoracoabdominal trauma, a chest radiograph shows bowel loops in the left hemithorax. What injury is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Left diaphragmatic rupture

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is more commonly recognized on the left because the liver protects the right side. Herniation of abdominal viscera into the chest can compromise ventilation and requires surgical repair.

Option by option

  • A. Simple pneumothorax

    Pneumothorax contains pleural air, not bowel loops.

  • B. Left diaphragmatic rupture (correct)

    Correct. Intrathoracic bowel after trauma strongly suggests diaphragmatic rupture.

  • C. Isolated clavicle fracture

    Clavicle fracture cannot produce intrathoracic bowel.

  • D. Pulmonary contusion only

    Contusion causes parenchymal opacities, not herniated viscera.

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.

More General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is B, Left diaphragmatic rupture. Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is more commonly recognized on the left because the liver protects the right side.

Why is "Simple pneumothorax" not the answer?

Pneumothorax contains pleural air, not bowel loops.

Why is "Isolated clavicle fracture" not the answer?

Clavicle fracture cannot produce intrathoracic bowel.

Why is "Pulmonary contusion only" not the answer?

Contusion causes parenchymal opacities, not herniated viscera.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma surgery: diaphragmatic rupture in General Surgery. Herniation of abdominal viscera into the chest can compromise ventilation and requires surgical repair.

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 Trauma surgery: diaphragmatic rupture?

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.