Hernia and abdominal wall: viability of strangulated bowel: 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: viability of strangulated bowel

Sample item

During repair of a strangulated hernia, the loop of small bowel is dusky. After warm saline packs and oxygen, which finding indicates that it is viable and can be returned?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Return of pink colour, peristalsis and mesenteric pulsation

Viable bowel regains normal colour, shows peristalsis and has pulsating mesenteric vessels. A non-viable loop stays dark, lacks shine, does not contract and has absent pulsation.

Option by option

  • A. A foul-smelling serosal exudate

    Foul exudate suggests gangrene.

  • B. Return of pink colour, peristalsis and mesenteric pulsation (correct)

    Correct. Colour, peristalsis and pulsation signal viability.

  • C. Persistent black colour with a shiny serosa

    Persistent black bowel is non-viable.

  • D. Absent peristalsis with a dull serosa

    Absent peristalsis and a dull serosa suggest infarction.

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, Return of pink colour, peristalsis and mesenteric pulsation. Viable bowel regains normal colour, shows peristalsis and has pulsating mesenteric vessels.

Why is "A foul-smelling serosal exudate" not the answer?

Foul exudate suggests gangrene.

Why is "Persistent black colour with a shiny serosa" not the answer?

Persistent black bowel is non-viable.

Why is "Absent peristalsis with a dull serosa" not the answer?

Absent peristalsis and a dull serosa suggest infarction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hernia and abdominal wall: viability of strangulated bowel in General Surgery. A non-viable loop stays dark, lacks shine, does not contract and has absent pulsation.

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: viability of strangulated bowel?

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.