ABSA General Surgery I Exam Review 2026 | Verified Q&A |
Graded A+
1. Describe the significance of a paramedian incision in surgical procedures.
A paramedian incision is used exclusively for hernia repairs.
A paramedian incision allows access to the abdominal cavity while
minimizing damage to the midline structures.
A paramedian incision is the same as a midline incision.
A paramedian incision is primarily used for cosmetic purposes.
2. In a patient presenting with abdominal pain, constipation, and distension, how
would you differentiate between fecal impaction and sigmoid colon volvulus
in terms of surgical urgency?
Treat both conditions with medication only.
Assess the patient's symptoms and imaging results to determine if
there is a risk of bowel ischemia, which would indicate sigmoid
colon volvulus as a surgical emergency.
Immediately perform surgery for both conditions.
Assume fecal impaction is always more severe than sigmoid colon
volvulus.
3. In a surgical procedure where a segment of the colon is removed due to
cancer, what type of anastomosis might be performed to reconnect the
remaining sections?
Ileocolic anastomosis
Gastrojejunostomy
Herniorrhaphy
, End-to-end anastomosis
4. Which statement about hernias is false?
All irreducible hernias are strangulated
Strangulated and incarcerated hernias often need urgent surgical
intervention
An irreducible hernia means that the hernia cannot be reduced
A strangulated hernia means the hernia has compromised blood
supply
5. What condition leads to the formation of esophageal varices due to
increased pressure in the venous system?
Aortic stenosis
Myocardial infarction
Pulmonary embolism
Portal hypertension
6. What are the components that need to be sutured when closing an upper
paramedian incision?
Only the anterior rectus sheath and peritoneum
Rectus abdominus muscle and posterior rectus sheath only
Only the peritoneum and rectus abdominus muscle
Anterior rectus sheath, rectus abdominus muscle, posterior rectus
sheath, peritoneum
7. In a surgical procedure involving a gastrectomy, which arteries must be
carefully preserved to prevent ischemia of the stomach?
, Celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery
Left gastric artery, right gastric artery, left gastroepiploic artery,
right gastroepiploic artery
Aorta and iliac artery
Hepatic artery and renal artery
8. Describe the main components of the Billroth II procedure and its purpose in
surgical treatment.
The Billroth II procedure involves subtotal gastric resection and the
creation of a gastrojejunostomy to bypass part of the stomach.
The Billroth II procedure focuses on hernia repair without any gastric
alteration.
The Billroth II procedure is a laparoscopic technique for gallbladder
removal.
The Billroth II procedure is a complete gastric removal with no
reconstruction.
9. Describe why certain surgical procedures require the isolation of instruments
from the operative field.
Isolation of instruments is necessary to enhance visibility during
surgery.
Isolation is used to speed up the surgical process.
Isolation of instruments is only required in emergency surgeries.
Certain surgical procedures require isolation of instruments to
prevent contamination and maintain a sterile environment.
10. Tumors, adhesions, intussusceptions and hernias may cause
Graded A+
1. Describe the significance of a paramedian incision in surgical procedures.
A paramedian incision is used exclusively for hernia repairs.
A paramedian incision allows access to the abdominal cavity while
minimizing damage to the midline structures.
A paramedian incision is the same as a midline incision.
A paramedian incision is primarily used for cosmetic purposes.
2. In a patient presenting with abdominal pain, constipation, and distension, how
would you differentiate between fecal impaction and sigmoid colon volvulus
in terms of surgical urgency?
Treat both conditions with medication only.
Assess the patient's symptoms and imaging results to determine if
there is a risk of bowel ischemia, which would indicate sigmoid
colon volvulus as a surgical emergency.
Immediately perform surgery for both conditions.
Assume fecal impaction is always more severe than sigmoid colon
volvulus.
3. In a surgical procedure where a segment of the colon is removed due to
cancer, what type of anastomosis might be performed to reconnect the
remaining sections?
Ileocolic anastomosis
Gastrojejunostomy
Herniorrhaphy
, End-to-end anastomosis
4. Which statement about hernias is false?
All irreducible hernias are strangulated
Strangulated and incarcerated hernias often need urgent surgical
intervention
An irreducible hernia means that the hernia cannot be reduced
A strangulated hernia means the hernia has compromised blood
supply
5. What condition leads to the formation of esophageal varices due to
increased pressure in the venous system?
Aortic stenosis
Myocardial infarction
Pulmonary embolism
Portal hypertension
6. What are the components that need to be sutured when closing an upper
paramedian incision?
Only the anterior rectus sheath and peritoneum
Rectus abdominus muscle and posterior rectus sheath only
Only the peritoneum and rectus abdominus muscle
Anterior rectus sheath, rectus abdominus muscle, posterior rectus
sheath, peritoneum
7. In a surgical procedure involving a gastrectomy, which arteries must be
carefully preserved to prevent ischemia of the stomach?
, Celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery
Left gastric artery, right gastric artery, left gastroepiploic artery,
right gastroepiploic artery
Aorta and iliac artery
Hepatic artery and renal artery
8. Describe the main components of the Billroth II procedure and its purpose in
surgical treatment.
The Billroth II procedure involves subtotal gastric resection and the
creation of a gastrojejunostomy to bypass part of the stomach.
The Billroth II procedure focuses on hernia repair without any gastric
alteration.
The Billroth II procedure is a laparoscopic technique for gallbladder
removal.
The Billroth II procedure is a complete gastric removal with no
reconstruction.
9. Describe why certain surgical procedures require the isolation of instruments
from the operative field.
Isolation of instruments is necessary to enhance visibility during
surgery.
Isolation is used to speed up the surgical process.
Isolation of instruments is only required in emergency surgeries.
Certain surgical procedures require isolation of instruments to
prevent contamination and maintain a sterile environment.
10. Tumors, adhesions, intussusceptions and hernias may cause
