Gastroenterology MCQ Answer 26

Answer: b

Distinguishing the various types of bowel obstruction can be difficult based on history, physical findings, and radiographic studies. The patient described has intermittent to constant pain with low volume feculent vomiting. Distension is marked and progressive, and tenderness is diffuse. This scenario most likely fits with an open-loop distal small bowel obstruction. The feculent vomiting suggests a more distal rather than proximal obstruction. The lack of severe pain and signs of peritoneal irritation suggests that a closed-loop obstruction is unlikely. A colon obstruction with an incompetent ileocecal valve would be another alternative to consider if gas in the colon had been seen on x-ray.

Category: Gastroenterology MCQs