Postoperative care: pulmonary embolism: 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.

Try it

General Surgery · Postoperative care: pulmonary embolism

Sample item

Five days after major pelvic surgery, a patient develops sudden dyspnea, pleuritic pain, tachycardia, and syncope. What diagnosis must be urgently considered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pulmonary embolism

Recent major surgery is a strong venous thromboembolism risk factor. Acute dyspnea, pleuritic pain, tachycardia, or syncope require urgent assessment for pulmonary embolism.

Option by option

  • A. Uncomplicated ileus

    Ileus causes abdominal distension and vomiting.

  • B. Simple postoperative atelectasis

    Atelectasis usually occurs earlier with mild hypoxemia and basal signs.

  • C. Pulmonary embolism (correct)

    Correct. The timing, risk factor, and abrupt cardiopulmonary symptoms fit PE.

  • D. Wound seroma

    Seroma is localized wound fluid collection.

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 C, Pulmonary embolism. Recent major surgery is a strong venous thromboembolism risk factor.

Why is "Uncomplicated ileus" not the answer?

Ileus causes abdominal distension and vomiting.

Why is "Simple postoperative atelectasis" not the answer?

Atelectasis usually occurs earlier with mild hypoxemia and basal signs.

Why is "Wound seroma" not the answer?

Seroma is localized wound fluid collection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postoperative care: pulmonary embolism in General Surgery. Acute dyspnea, pleuritic pain, tachycardia, or syncope require urgent assessment for pulmonary embolism.

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 Postoperative care: pulmonary embolism?

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.