Hernias: 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 · Hernias

Sample item

What distinguishes a strangulated hernia from a reducible uncomplicated hernia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Compromised blood supply to herniated contents

A strangulated hernia traps tissue tightly enough to impair venous and arterial flow, creating escalating pain, obstruction, and risk of bowel necrosis, so it requires urgent surgical evaluation.

Option by option

  • A. Compromised blood supply to herniated contents (correct)

    Correct: vascular compromise is the defining danger of strangulation.

  • B. Normal bowel sounds in every case

    Bowel sounds vary and cannot exclude a strangulated hernia.

  • C. A scar elsewhere on the abdomen

    An unrelated abdominal scar does not establish hernia strangulation.

  • D. Presence of any cough impulse

    A cough impulse may be absent in incarceration but does not define ischemia.

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 A, Compromised blood supply to herniated contents. A strangulated hernia traps tissue tightly enough to impair venous and arterial flow, creating escalating pain, obstruction, and risk of bowel necrosis, so it requires urgent surgical evaluation.

Why is "Normal bowel sounds in every case" not the answer?

Bowel sounds vary and cannot exclude a strangulated hernia.

Why is "A scar elsewhere on the abdomen" not the answer?

An unrelated abdominal scar does not establish hernia strangulation.

Why is "Presence of any cough impulse" not the answer?

A cough impulse may be absent in incarceration but does not define ischemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hernias in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct: vascular compromise is the defining danger of strangulation.

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 Hernias?

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.