DIAGNOSIS RULE OUT PREOPERATIVE BOWEL
OBSTRUCTION PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ What are the two types of intestinal obstruction? Answer: Small
bowel obstruction (SBO) and large bowel obstruction (LBO).
◉ What is the difference between partial and complete intestinal
obstruction? Answer: Partial obstruction allows some contents to
pass through, while complete obstruction results in total occlusion.
◉ What is a simple obstruction? Answer: An obstruction with an
intact blood supply.
◉ What is a strangulated obstruction? Answer: An obstruction
where there is no blood supply.
◉ What are common causes of mechanical small bowel obstruction?
Answer: Surgical adhesions, hernias, cancer, strictures from Crohn's
disease, and intussusception.
◉ What are common causes of large bowel obstruction? Answer:
Colorectal cancer and diverticular disease.
, ◉ What is paralytic ileus? Answer: A nonmechanical obstruction due
to reduced or absent peristalsis, often caused by abdominal surgery
or inflammatory disorders.
◉ What is pseudo-obstruction? Answer: A GI motility disorder that
mimics obstruction without a physical blockage.
◉ What are the four hallmark manifestations of intestinal
obstruction? Answer: Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting,
distention (especially in LBO), and constipation.
◉ What diagnostic studies are used for intestinal obstruction?
Answer: History and physical examination, imaging (abdominal x-
rays, CT scan), sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and blood tests.
◉ What is the initial treatment for intestinal obstruction? Answer:
NPO (nothing by mouth), IV fluids, IV antiemetics, and possibly an
NG tube.
◉ What is the purpose of bowel resection? Answer: To remove
cancer, repair perforation, relieve obstruction, or treat inflammatory
diseases.
OBSTRUCTION PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ What are the two types of intestinal obstruction? Answer: Small
bowel obstruction (SBO) and large bowel obstruction (LBO).
◉ What is the difference between partial and complete intestinal
obstruction? Answer: Partial obstruction allows some contents to
pass through, while complete obstruction results in total occlusion.
◉ What is a simple obstruction? Answer: An obstruction with an
intact blood supply.
◉ What is a strangulated obstruction? Answer: An obstruction
where there is no blood supply.
◉ What are common causes of mechanical small bowel obstruction?
Answer: Surgical adhesions, hernias, cancer, strictures from Crohn's
disease, and intussusception.
◉ What are common causes of large bowel obstruction? Answer:
Colorectal cancer and diverticular disease.
, ◉ What is paralytic ileus? Answer: A nonmechanical obstruction due
to reduced or absent peristalsis, often caused by abdominal surgery
or inflammatory disorders.
◉ What is pseudo-obstruction? Answer: A GI motility disorder that
mimics obstruction without a physical blockage.
◉ What are the four hallmark manifestations of intestinal
obstruction? Answer: Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting,
distention (especially in LBO), and constipation.
◉ What diagnostic studies are used for intestinal obstruction?
Answer: History and physical examination, imaging (abdominal x-
rays, CT scan), sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and blood tests.
◉ What is the initial treatment for intestinal obstruction? Answer:
NPO (nothing by mouth), IV fluids, IV antiemetics, and possibly an
NG tube.
◉ What is the purpose of bowel resection? Answer: To remove
cancer, repair perforation, relieve obstruction, or treat inflammatory
diseases.
