Acute abdomen: abdominal compartment syndrome: 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 · Acute abdomen: abdominal compartment syndrome

Sample item

A critically ill patient with massive fluid resuscitation has tense abdominal distension, oliguria, rising ventilatory pressures, and shock. What syndrome should be considered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Abdominal compartment syndrome

Abdominal compartment syndrome occurs when raised intra-abdominal pressure causes new organ dysfunction, including renal failure, ventilatory compromise, and shock. Pressure measurement and urgent decompressive strategies may be needed.

Option by option

  • A. Renal colic

    Renal colic does not cause tense abdominal distension and ventilatory pressure rise.

  • B. Abdominal compartment syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Multiorgan dysfunction with tense abdomen after resuscitation is highly suggestive.

  • C. Uncomplicated ascites

    Ascites alone does not define compartment syndrome.

  • D. Simple postoperative ileus

    Ileus causes distension but not necessarily severe pressure-related organ failure.

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, Abdominal compartment syndrome. Abdominal compartment syndrome occurs when raised intra-abdominal pressure causes new organ dysfunction, including renal failure, ventilatory compromise, and shock.

Why is "Renal colic" not the answer?

Renal colic does not cause tense abdominal distension and ventilatory pressure rise.

Why is "Uncomplicated ascites" not the answer?

Ascites alone does not define compartment syndrome.

Why is "Simple postoperative ileus" not the answer?

Ileus causes distension but not necessarily severe pressure-related organ failure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Acute abdomen: abdominal compartment syndrome in General Surgery. Pressure measurement and urgent decompressive strategies may be needed.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Acute abdomen: abdominal compartment syndrome?

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.