FRCS Surgical Physiology

Question 1

A patient loses 1500 ml of blood acutely. According to the ATLS classification, this represents which class of haemorrhagic shock?

Accepted Answer

Class III

Answer

Class II

Answer

Class I

Answer

Class IV

Question 2

In the fasting state, which organ is the primary consumer of ketone bodies for energy?

Accepted Answer

Brain

Answer

Liver

Answer

Skeletal muscle

Answer

Red blood cells

Question 3

A patient with a large bowel obstruction develops metabolic acidosis. Which acid-base disturbance is most likely if the patient also has persistent vomiting?

Accepted Answer

Mixed metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis

Answer

Pure metabolic acidosis

Answer

Respiratory alkalosis

Answer

Pure metabolic alkalosis

Question 4

Which of the following is the most important buffer system in the extracellular fluid?

Accepted Answer

Bicarbonate-carbonic acid system

Answer

Phosphate buffer system

Answer

Protein buffer system

Answer

Haemoglobin buffer system

Question 5

Following major abdominal surgery, a patient develops oliguria with a urine sodium concentration of 8 mmol/L. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Appropriate physiological response to surgery (ADH and aldosterone secretion)

Answer

Acute tubular necrosis

Answer

Post-renal obstruction

Answer

Renal artery thrombosis

Question 6

During the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), which cytokine is primarily responsible for inducing fever?

Accepted Answer

Interleukin-1 (IL-1)

Answer

Interleukin-10 (IL-10)

Answer

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)

Answer

Interleukin-4 (IL-4)