Gastrointestinal surgery: abdominal compartment syndrome: 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 · Gastrointestinal surgery: abdominal compartment syndrome

Sample item

After massive resuscitation for pancreatitis, a patient has a tense abdomen, oliguria and rising airway pressures. Bladder pressure is 28 mmHg. What is the next best step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Decompressive laparotomy after temporising measures

Abdominal compartment syndrome is sustained intra-abdominal pressure above 20 mmHg with new organ dysfunction. Medical measures (sedation, paralysis, decompression of gut) may help, but refractory cases need decompressive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure.

Option by option

  • A. Furosemide infusion only

    Diuretics alone do not relieve pressure.

  • B. Prone positioning with no other measures

    Positioning alone is inadequate at this pressure.

  • C. Increase IV fluids

    More fluid worsens the problem.

  • D. Decompressive laparotomy after temporising measures (correct)

    Correct. Surgical decompression treats refractory ACS.

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, Decompressive laparotomy after temporising measures. Abdominal compartment syndrome is sustained intra-abdominal pressure above 20 mmHg with new organ dysfunction.

Why is "Furosemide infusion only" not the answer?

Diuretics alone do not relieve pressure.

Why is "Prone positioning with no other measures" not the answer?

Positioning alone is inadequate at this pressure.

Why is "Increase IV fluids" not the answer?

More fluid worsens the problem.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal surgery: abdominal compartment syndrome in General Surgery. Medical measures (sedation, paralysis, decompression of gut) may help, but refractory cases need decompressive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Gastrointestinal surgery: abdominal compartment syndrome?

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.