General Surgery Board Review General Surgery Board Review Perioperative Care & Complications

Question 1

Which ASA physical status classification is assigned to a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life?

Accepted Answer

ASA IV

Answer

ASA II

Answer

ASA III

Answer

ASA V

Question 2

A patient on warfarin for atrial fibrillation requires elective colon resection. What is the standard perioperative anticoagulation strategy for high-thromboembolic-risk patients?

Accepted Answer

Stop warfarin 5 days before and bridge with therapeutic heparin

Answer

Continue therapeutic warfarin throughout surgery

Answer

Stop warfarin 1 day before surgery without bridging

Answer

Switch to aspirin perioperatively

Question 3

Per ASA guidelines, what is the minimum fasting time for clear liquids before elective surgery in healthy adults?

Accepted Answer

2 hours

Answer

1 hour

Answer

4 hours

Answer

6 hours

Question 4

Antibiotic prophylaxis for colorectal surgery should target which organisms?

Accepted Answer

Both gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes

Answer

Gram-positive aerobes only

Answer

Gram-negative aerobes only

Answer

Fungi and gram-positive organisms

Question 5

Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazolin should be administered at what time relative to skin incision for optimal tissue levels?

Accepted Answer

Within 60 minutes before incision

Answer

At time of skin closure

Answer

2 hours before surgery

Answer

Only if the case exceeds 4 hours

Question 6

The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) includes all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Uncontrolled hypertension

Answer

History of ischemic heart disease

Answer

History of congestive heart failure

Answer

Preoperative creatinine >2.0 mg/dL