Trauma surgery: damage control: 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 · Trauma surgery: damage control

Sample item

A massively bleeding trauma patient is hypothermic, acidotic, and coagulopathic in the operating room. What operative strategy is most appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Damage-control surgery with rapid hemorrhage control and temporary closure

The lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy indicates physiologic exhaustion. Damage-control surgery prioritizes rapid control of bleeding and contamination, followed by ICU resuscitation and later definitive repair.

Option by option

  • A. Perform elective cosmetic closure only

    Cosmetic closure does not control life-threatening injury.

  • B. Lengthy definitive reconstruction before resuscitation

    Prolonged reconstruction worsens the lethal triad.

  • C. Cancel all surgery and discharge

    Discharge is impossible in ongoing hemorrhagic trauma.

  • D. Damage-control surgery with rapid hemorrhage control and temporary closure (correct)

    Correct. Abbreviated surgery prevents further physiologic collapse.

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 D, Damage-control surgery with rapid hemorrhage control and temporary closure. The lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy indicates physiologic exhaustion.

Why is "Perform elective cosmetic closure only" not the answer?

Cosmetic closure does not control life-threatening injury.

Why is "Lengthy definitive reconstruction before resuscitation" not the answer?

Prolonged reconstruction worsens the lethal triad.

Why is "Cancel all surgery and discharge" not the answer?

Discharge is impossible in ongoing hemorrhagic trauma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma surgery: damage control in General Surgery. Damage-control surgery prioritizes rapid control of bleeding and contamination, followed by ICU resuscitation and later definitive repair.

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 Trauma surgery: damage control?

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.