Free practice question 3 of 20 · Emergency
An original single best answer question in the style of the FRCS (Gen Surg) Section 1 paper, with the answer and a referenced explanation. Pick an answer to reveal it, then rate how sure you were.
A 23-year-old woman has 24 hours of vomiting and diffuse abdominal pain. She is drowsy, with respiratory rate 30/min, pulse 124 bpm and BP 96/58 mmHg; the abdomen is diffusely tender with guarding. Venous gas: pH 7.08, bicarbonate 7 mmol/L, glucose 27 mmol/L, lactate 2.1 mmol/L. WCC 22 × 10⁹/L, amylase 210 U/L.
What is the most appropriate next step?
Topic guide
Emergency: what the exam tests
Syllabus coverage, high-yield themes and the common traps.
Free article
Acute appendicitis: risk scores, imaging and the choice between antibiotics and appendicectomy
Acute appendicitis for FRCS (Gen Surg): Alvarado, AIR and Adult Appendicitis scores, imaging by patient group, antibiotics or surgery, and the appendix mass.
Free article
Acute upper GI bleeding: Blatchford, Rockall, Forrest and what to do when endoscopy fails
Acute upper GI bleeding for FRCS (Gen Surg): Glasgow-Blatchford and Rockall scores, Forrest stigmata, NICE CG141, variceal care, embolisation and ulcer surgery.
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