Colorectal surgery: 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 · Colorectal surgery

Sample item

Which symptom is an alarm feature that should prompt investigation for colorectal cancer in an older adult?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Unexplained iron deficiency anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia in an older adult can result from chronic occult gastrointestinal bleeding and warrants investigation for gastrointestinal malignancy among other causes, guided by local pathways.

Option by option

  • A. Transient itch after a new soap

    Soap-related itch suggests contact irritation rather than bowel pathology.

  • B. Unexplained iron deficiency anaemia (correct)

    Correct: unexplained iron deficiency can signal occult colorectal blood loss.

  • C. Stable lifelong lactose intolerance

    Lifelong lactose intolerance does not itself indicate new colorectal cancer.

  • D. Occasional hiccups

    Hiccups are common and nonspecific.

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, Unexplained iron deficiency anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia in an older adult can result from chronic occult gastrointestinal bleeding and warrants investigation for gastrointestinal malignancy among other causes, guided by local pathways.

Why is "Transient itch after a new soap" not the answer?

Soap-related itch suggests contact irritation rather than bowel pathology.

Why is "Stable lifelong lactose intolerance" not the answer?

Lifelong lactose intolerance does not itself indicate new colorectal cancer.

Why is "Occasional hiccups" not the answer?

Hiccups are common and nonspecific.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Colorectal surgery in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct: unexplained iron deficiency can signal occult colorectal blood loss.

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 Colorectal surgery?

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.