Hernia and abdominal wall: minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia: 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 · Hernia and abdominal wall: minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia

Sample item

A 72-year-old man has a small reducible inguinal hernia that causes almost no symptoms and does not interfere with his activities. What is a reasonable approach?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Watchful waiting with advice on warning symptoms

In men with minimal symptoms the risk of strangulation is low, so watchful waiting is safe, with prompt surgery for pain or enlargement.

Option by option

  • A. Watchful waiting with advice on warning symptoms (correct)

    Correct. Watchful waiting is reasonable for minimally symptomatic hernias.

  • B. Urgent surgery

    Urgent surgery is unnecessary in the absence of complications.

  • C. Truss as a definitive cure

    A truss does not cure the defect.

  • D. Strangulation prophylaxis with antibiotics

    Antibiotics do not prevent strangulation.

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 A, Watchful waiting with advice on warning symptoms. In men with minimal symptoms the risk of strangulation is low, so watchful waiting is safe, with prompt surgery for pain or enlargement.

Why is "Urgent surgery" not the answer?

Urgent surgery is unnecessary in the absence of complications.

Why is "Truss as a definitive cure" not the answer?

A truss does not cure the defect.

Why is "Strangulation prophylaxis with antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not prevent strangulation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hernia and abdominal wall: minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct. Watchful waiting is reasonable for minimally symptomatic hernias.

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 Hernia and abdominal wall: minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia?

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.