Bowel obstruction: 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 · Bowel obstruction

Sample item

Which feature favours small-bowel obstruction rather than large-bowel obstruction?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Central dilated loops with valvulae conniventes

Small bowel typically produces central dilated loops with folds crossing the full lumen. Large bowel obstruction produces more peripheral colonic dilatation and haustra.

Option by option

  • A. Central dilated loops with valvulae conniventes (correct)

    Correct. Valvulae conniventes cross the full width of small bowel.

  • B. Continuous colonic haustra to rectum

    This describes large bowel anatomy.

  • C. Early massive rectal bleeding

    Bleeding is not the defining radiographic distinction.

  • D. Painless jaundice

    Jaundice suggests biliary obstruction.

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, Central dilated loops with valvulae conniventes. Small bowel typically produces central dilated loops with folds crossing the full lumen.

Why is "Continuous colonic haustra to rectum" not the answer?

This describes large bowel anatomy.

Why is "Early massive rectal bleeding" not the answer?

Bleeding is not the defining radiographic distinction.

Why is "Painless jaundice" not the answer?

Jaundice suggests biliary obstruction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bowel obstruction in General Surgery. Large bowel obstruction produces more peripheral colonic dilatation and haustra.

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 Bowel obstruction?

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.