Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

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Prepare for the ABSA General Surgery Test with our comprehensive quiz on sutures and wound repair. Dive into multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to enhance your readiness for the exam. Get set for success!

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Which symptom is characteristic of a perforated peptic ulcer?

Fainting spells
Shock
Abdominal distention
Nausea without vomiting

The correct answer is: Shock

A perforated peptic ulcer allows gastric contents to spill into the abdominal cavity, leading to chemical irritation and potentially causing peritonitis, which can result in a systemic inflammatory response. One of the prominent signs of this condition is shock, a state of inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. This can occur due to the rapid loss of blood into the peritoneal cavity, leading to hypotension and other symptoms associated with shock. Patients may present with signs such as tachycardia, pallor, and altered mental status as their body struggles to cope with the sudden loss of blood volume and the inflammatory response triggered by the perforation. Other symptoms may also be present, including abdominal pain and tenderness, but shock is a critical and defining feature in the context of a perforated peptic ulcer, indicating a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention.