BRAND NEW 2025-2026 UPDATED
SURGERY EOR EXAM –
QUESTIONS,DETAILED ANSWER &
RATIONALES
1.What is the most common cause of
appendicitis?
Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen
Leads to increased pressure, ischemia, and
bacterial infection.
2.What is the first-line imaging for suspected
appendicitis?
Abdominal ultrasound (in
children/pregnancy) or CT scan (adults)
Helps confirm diagnosis and rule out other
causes of pain.
3.What is the most common postoperative
complication?
Infection
, Surgical wounds are prone to bacterial
contamination.
4.What is the most common cause of small
bowel obstruction?
Adhesions from previous surgery
Scar tissue forms bands that block intestinal
passage.
5.What is the initial management of small
bowel obstruction?
NPO, IV fluids, and nasogastric tube
decompression
Stabilizes the patient and reduces bowel
distension.
6.What is the classic symptom of
cholelithiasis?
Right upper quadrant pain after fatty
meals
Caused by gallbladder contraction against
gallstones.
7.What is the gold standard for diagnosing
cholelithiasis?
Ultrasound of the abdomen
Detects gallstones and biliary tract dilation.
, 8.What is Murphy’s sign?
Pain and inspiratory arrest during
palpation of the right upper quadrant
Indicates cholecystitis.
9.What is the most common cause of acute
pancreatitis?
Gallstones and alcohol use
Both cause obstruction and inflammation of
the pancreatic duct.
10. What lab finding is most specific for
pancreatitis?
Elevated lipase
Lipase remains elevated longer and is more
specific than amylase.
11. What imaging confirms pancreatitis
complications?
CT scan of the abdomen
Reveals necrosis, abscess, or pseudocyst
formation.
12. What is Grey-Turner’s sign?
Flank bruising
Suggests retroperitoneal hemorrhage in
pancreatitis.
SURGERY EOR EXAM –
QUESTIONS,DETAILED ANSWER &
RATIONALES
1.What is the most common cause of
appendicitis?
Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen
Leads to increased pressure, ischemia, and
bacterial infection.
2.What is the first-line imaging for suspected
appendicitis?
Abdominal ultrasound (in
children/pregnancy) or CT scan (adults)
Helps confirm diagnosis and rule out other
causes of pain.
3.What is the most common postoperative
complication?
Infection
, Surgical wounds are prone to bacterial
contamination.
4.What is the most common cause of small
bowel obstruction?
Adhesions from previous surgery
Scar tissue forms bands that block intestinal
passage.
5.What is the initial management of small
bowel obstruction?
NPO, IV fluids, and nasogastric tube
decompression
Stabilizes the patient and reduces bowel
distension.
6.What is the classic symptom of
cholelithiasis?
Right upper quadrant pain after fatty
meals
Caused by gallbladder contraction against
gallstones.
7.What is the gold standard for diagnosing
cholelithiasis?
Ultrasound of the abdomen
Detects gallstones and biliary tract dilation.
, 8.What is Murphy’s sign?
Pain and inspiratory arrest during
palpation of the right upper quadrant
Indicates cholecystitis.
9.What is the most common cause of acute
pancreatitis?
Gallstones and alcohol use
Both cause obstruction and inflammation of
the pancreatic duct.
10. What lab finding is most specific for
pancreatitis?
Elevated lipase
Lipase remains elevated longer and is more
specific than amylase.
11. What imaging confirms pancreatitis
complications?
CT scan of the abdomen
Reveals necrosis, abscess, or pseudocyst
formation.
12. What is Grey-Turner’s sign?
Flank bruising
Suggests retroperitoneal hemorrhage in
pancreatitis.
