FRCS Principles of Surgery-in-General

Question 1

According to the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, which critical step must be completed before the induction of anaesthesia (the 'Sign In' phase)?

Accepted Answer

Confirm patient identity, procedure, site marking, and consent

Answer

Count instruments and swabs

Answer

Confirm specimen labelling

Answer

Review post-operative care plan

Question 2

A patient develops a surgical site infection 4 days after a colonic anastomosis. Which organism is most commonly responsible for surgical site infections following colorectal surgery?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Streptococcus pyogenes

Answer

Clostridium perfringens

Question 3

In the context of evidence-based surgery, which level of evidence is provided by a well-conducted randomised controlled trial?

Accepted Answer

Level 1b

Answer

Level 1a

Answer

Level 2a

Answer

Level 3

Question 4

A patient develops deep vein thrombosis 5 days post-operatively despite receiving prophylactic LMWH. Platelet count has dropped from 250 to 80 x10^9/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II (HIT)

Answer

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Answer

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Answer

Dilutional thrombocytopenia

Question 5

What is the most appropriate method of sterilisation for surgical instruments that are heat-resistant?

Accepted Answer

Autoclaving (steam under pressure at 134°C for 3 minutes)

Answer

Ethylene oxide gas

Answer

Glutaraldehyde immersion

Answer

Gamma irradiation

Question 6

According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, a post-operative complication requiring surgical, endoscopic, or radiological intervention under general anaesthesia is classified as which grade?

Accepted Answer

Grade IIIb

Answer

Grade IIIa

Answer

Grade II

Answer

Grade IV