Abdominal radiograph: small-bowel obstruction: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Abdominal radiograph: small-bowel obstruction

Sample item

An abdominal radiograph shows centrally located dilated loops with valvulae conniventes extending across the full width of the bowel. What is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Small-bowel obstruction

Small bowel usually lies centrally, and valvulae conniventes traverse the whole lumen. Dilatation with this pattern suggests small-bowel obstruction in the correct clinical context.

Option by option

  • A. Free intraperitoneal air

    Free air is sought beneath the diaphragm on an erect chest radiograph.

  • B. Small-bowel obstruction (correct)

    Correct. Central loops with full-width folds are characteristic of small bowel.

  • C. Large-bowel obstruction

    Large bowel is more peripheral and haustra do not usually cross the entire lumen.

  • D. Toxic megacolon

    Toxic megacolon is marked colonic dilatation with systemic toxicity.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Small-bowel obstruction. Small bowel usually lies centrally, and valvulae conniventes traverse the whole lumen.

Why is "Free intraperitoneal air" not the answer?

Free air is sought beneath the diaphragm on an erect chest radiograph.

Why is "Large-bowel obstruction" not the answer?

Large bowel is more peripheral and haustra do not usually cross the entire lumen.

Why is "Toxic megacolon" not the answer?

Toxic megacolon is marked colonic dilatation with systemic toxicity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal radiograph: small-bowel obstruction in Radiology. Dilatation with this pattern suggests small-bowel obstruction in the correct clinical context.

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 Abdominal radiograph: small-bowel obstruction?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.