Perforated viscus: 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 · Perforated viscus

Sample item

What is the most appropriate next step for a patient with rigid abdomen, free air under the diaphragm, and shock?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Immediate resuscitation and urgent surgical management

Free intraperitoneal air with peritonitis and shock strongly suggests perforation of a hollow viscus; aggressive resuscitation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, source control, and urgent surgical involvement are required.

Option by option

  • A. Begin a high-residue diet

    Dietary fibre is inappropriate in acute perforation and shock.

  • B. Immediate resuscitation and urgent surgical management (correct)

    Correct: perforation with shock demands resuscitation and urgent source control.

  • C. Discharge with antacids

    Antacids cannot treat peritonitis from visceral perforation.

  • D. Arrange routine allergy testing

    Allergy testing does not address the surgical emergency.

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 B, Immediate resuscitation and urgent surgical management. Free intraperitoneal air with peritonitis and shock strongly suggests perforation of a hollow viscus; aggressive resuscitation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, source control, and urgent surgical involvement are required.

Why is "Begin a high-residue diet" not the answer?

Dietary fibre is inappropriate in acute perforation and shock.

Why is "Discharge with antacids" not the answer?

Antacids cannot treat peritonitis from visceral perforation.

Why is "Arrange routine allergy testing" not the answer?

Allergy testing does not address the surgical emergency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Perforated viscus in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct: perforation with shock demands resuscitation and urgent source control.

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 Perforated viscus?

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.