FRCS Principles of Surgery-in-General 2

Question 1

During consent for surgery, which element is NOT required for the consent to be legally valid in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The patient must sign a written consent form for all procedures

Answer

The patient must have capacity to make the decision

Answer

The patient must be given sufficient information about risks and benefits

Answer

The consent must be given voluntarily without coercion

Question 2

A surgeon notices a colleague appears intoxicated in the operating theatre. According to GMC Good Medical Practice, what is the surgeon's primary duty?

Accepted Answer

Raise a concern to protect patient safety

Answer

Discuss privately with the colleague after the procedure

Answer

Ignore it unless a patient is directly harmed

Answer

Report only to the colleague's defence union

Question 3

Which wound closure technique is most appropriate for a contaminated abdominal wound following surgery for faecal peritonitis?

Accepted Answer

Delayed primary closure

Answer

Primary closure with drain

Answer

Immediate primary closure with skin staples

Answer

Skin grafting

Question 4

A 65-year-old patient scores 3 on the ASA Physical Status Classification. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

A patient with severe systemic disease

Answer

A patient with mild systemic disease

Answer

A normal healthy patient

Answer

A moribund patient not expected to survive 24 hours

Question 5

In a clinical trial, the number needed to treat (NNT) is calculated as 10. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

10 patients need to receive the treatment for 1 additional patient to benefit

Answer

The treatment is effective in 10% of patients

Answer

10 patients will be harmed for every patient who benefits

Answer

The relative risk reduction is 10%

Question 6

Which suture material is most appropriate for closing the linea alba in an emergency midline laparotomy?

Accepted Answer

Slowly absorbable monofilament (e.g., PDS/polydioxanone)

Answer

Rapidly absorbable braided (e.g., polyglactin/Vicryl)

Answer

Non-absorbable braided (e.g., silk)

Answer

Non-absorbable monofilament (e.g., nylon)