PLAB Surgery & Emergency Medicine

Question 1

What is the most common cause of acute appendicitis?

Accepted Answer

Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen, often by a fecalith

Answer

Bacterial infection from contaminated food

Answer

Viral infection spreading from the respiratory tract

Answer

Allergic reaction to certain foods

Question 2

In trauma assessment, what does the primary survey (ABCDE) stand for?

Accepted Answer

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure

Answer

Assessment, Blood pressure, Chest, Diagnosis, Evaluation

Answer

Abdomen, Back, Chest, Digits, Eyes

Answer

Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Drugs, Emergency

Question 3

What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) used to assess?

Accepted Answer

Level of consciousness based on eye opening, verbal response, and motor response

Answer

The severity of chronic pain

Answer

Blood glucose levels in diabetic patients

Answer

The degree of bone fracture displacement

Question 4

A patient presents with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice. What is this triad known as?

Accepted Answer

Charcot's triad, suggesting ascending cholangitis

Answer

Beck's triad, suggesting cardiac tamponade

Answer

Virchow's triad, suggesting deep vein thrombosis

Answer

Cushing's triad, suggesting raised intracranial pressure

Question 5

What is the initial management for a tension pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion

Answer

Observation and serial chest X-rays

Answer

Oral antibiotics and rest

Answer

Emergency thoracotomy in the operating room

Question 6

What are the signs of peritonitis on abdominal examination?

Accepted Answer

Board-like rigidity, rebound tenderness, and guarding

Answer

Soft, non-tender abdomen with active bowel sounds

Answer

Localized swelling without tenderness

Answer

Normal abdominal examination with groin pain