USMLE Step 2 CK: Colonic Ischemia and Polyp Malignancy
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Questions 2025
What complication did the 64-year-old male experience after coronary artery
bypass surgery? - Abdominal pain followed by bloody diarrhea.
What is the most likely diagnosis for the patient with abdominal pain and bloody
diarrhea after surgery? - Ischemic colitis.
Which area of the colon is most commonly involved in ischemic colitis? - The
splenic flexure.
Why is the splenic flexure particularly vulnerable to ischemic colitis? - It is
supplied by end arteries and is a watershed area between the superior and
inferior mesenteric arteries.
What are common symptoms of ischemic colitis? - Acute onset of lower
abdominal pain followed by bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and
leukocytosis.
What laboratory finding can indicate ischemic colitis? - Elevated lactic acid levels.
What is the significance of the recto-sigmoid junction in ischemic colitis? - It is
another watershed area supplied by terminal branches of the inferior mesenteric
artery.
What is the most common type of polyp found in the colon? - Adenoma.
Risk With complete solution– Expert Verified | Latest
Questions 2025
What complication did the 64-year-old male experience after coronary artery
bypass surgery? - Abdominal pain followed by bloody diarrhea.
What is the most likely diagnosis for the patient with abdominal pain and bloody
diarrhea after surgery? - Ischemic colitis.
Which area of the colon is most commonly involved in ischemic colitis? - The
splenic flexure.
Why is the splenic flexure particularly vulnerable to ischemic colitis? - It is
supplied by end arteries and is a watershed area between the superior and
inferior mesenteric arteries.
What are common symptoms of ischemic colitis? - Acute onset of lower
abdominal pain followed by bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and
leukocytosis.
What laboratory finding can indicate ischemic colitis? - Elevated lactic acid levels.
What is the significance of the recto-sigmoid junction in ischemic colitis? - It is
another watershed area supplied by terminal branches of the inferior mesenteric
artery.
What is the most common type of polyp found in the colon? - Adenoma.
