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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

General Surgery Quiz: Sub-Internship Practice

Quick, free surgery quiz for medical students. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Nuno SeleiroUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 15
Study OutcomesAdditional Reading
3D voxel art illustrating General Surgery Sub-Internship course content

This general surgery sub-internship quiz helps you practice key pre-op decisions, basic procedures, and ward management. Work through 15 focused questions to check your reasoning before your rotation and spot gaps with low stress. If you are also prepping for other rotations, try our internal medicine quiz and neurosurgery quiz.

What is the primary goal of maintaining sterile technique in surgery?
To reduce anesthesia complications
To speed up the surgery process
To prevent surgical site infections
To enhance patient comfort
Maintaining a sterile environment is crucial to prevent the introduction of pathogens during surgery. This practice significantly reduces the risk of surgical site infections and promotes better patient outcomes.
Which factor is crucial in assessing a patient's fitness for surgery?
Number of family members
Patient's functional status
Patient's dietary preferences
Length of hospital stay
Evaluating a patient's functional status helps determine their ability to withstand the physiological stresses of surgery. It is a key component in preoperative assessments and risk stratification.
What is the main purpose of a preoperative checklist?
To ensure all safety measures are met
To diagnose illnesses
To schedule surgery dates
To administer medications
A preoperative checklist is implemented to verify that every safety protocol has been followed before the surgery begins. This tool significantly reduces the chances of human error and enhances overall patient safety.
Which suture material is commonly preferred for skin closure due to its minimal tissue reactivity?
Chromic gut suture
Silk suture
Nylon suture
Polyglactin 910
Nylon sutures are widely favored for skin closure because they produce minimal tissue reaction compared to other materials. Their non-absorbable and monofilament properties also contribute to an improved cosmetic outcome.
Which imaging modality is frequently utilized for the evaluation of abdominal pain in surgical patients?
Plain radiography
Computed Tomography (CT) scan
Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
CT scans offer detailed cross-sectional images, making them ideal for evaluating complex cases of abdominal pain. This imaging modality helps detect pathologies such as perforations, abscesses, and other intra-abdominal abnormalities.
A 65-year-old patient with a history of coronary artery disease is scheduled for an elective colon resection. Which preoperative evaluation is most critical for reducing postoperative cardiac complications?
Routine chest X-ray
Assessment of functional capacity
Measurement of thyroid function
Preoperative beta-blocker administration
Assessing functional capacity is essential in determining a patient's cardiovascular risk before surgery. This evaluation helps guide clinical decisions and tailor perioperative care to reduce postoperative cardiac complications.
Which of the following best describes the role of damage control surgery in trauma patients?
Definitive repair of all injuries in one operation
Delayed intervention after stabilization
Extended operative time for complete surgical repair
Temporary control of hemorrhage and contamination
Damage control surgery is a strategy that focuses on rapid stabilization by controlling bleeding and contamination first, rather than completing definitive repairs in one go. This approach is lifesaving in severely injured trauma patients where extended surgery could increase morbidity.
In the management of suspected acute appendicitis, which CT scan finding is most indicative of perforation?
Periappendiceal fat stranding and abscess formation
Diffuse bowel wall thickening
Presence of an appendicolith
Enlarged appendix
The presence of periappendiceal fat stranding along with an abscess formation on a CT scan is highly suggestive of a perforated appendix. These findings indicate that the inflammation has progressed beyond a simple appendicitis.
During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, what is the critical view of safety intended to ensure?
Ensuring that only the cystic duct and cystic artery are visualized entering the gallbladder
Visualizing the entire liver surface
Assessing the size of the gallbladder
Identifying the common bile duct and hepatic artery simultaneously
The critical view of safety is a technique that ensures only the cystic duct and cystic artery are identified before they are clipped and cut. This practice minimizes the risk of inadvertently injuring the common bile duct during the procedure.
What is the most common postoperative complication following abdominal surgery?
Deep vein thrombosis
Pulmonary embolism
Urinary tract infection
Wound infection
Wound infection is recognized as the most common postoperative complication after abdominal surgery. This incidence is influenced by factors such as surgical technique, the patient's comorbidities, and adherence to sterile protocols.
Which factor plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of anastomotic leakage after bowel resection?
Inadequate blood supply to the anastomotic site
Patient's blood type
The number of sutures used
Length of the resected segment
Adequate blood supply is critical for the healing of any anastomosis. When the blood flow is compromised, the healing process is impaired, which increases the risk of anastomotic leakage.
A patient develops unexpected hypotension and tachycardia following a subtotal gastrectomy. Which postoperative complication should be highly suspected?
Urinary retention
Ileus-related dehydration
Pulmonary embolism
Anastomotic leak leading to sepsis
The presentation of hypotension and tachycardia shortly after gastrectomy is concerning for an anastomotic leak, which can lead to sepsis. Early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent further deterioration.
What is the primary purpose of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols?
To reduce the need for preoperative assessments
To eliminate the use of analgesics
To increase the duration of surgery
To shorten hospital stay and improve postoperative recovery
ERAS protocols are designed to streamline the recovery process by standardizing care before, during, and after surgery. Their goal is to minimize complications and shorten the overall hospitalization period.
Which factor is most important when choosing between open and laparoscopic approaches in abdominal surgery?
Patient BMI and history of previous abdominal surgeries
Surgeon's personal preference unrelated to patient factors
Patient's age
The color of the operating room walls
Patients with a higher BMI or a history of previous abdominal surgeries may present technical challenges for laparoscopic approaches. These factors can affect the presence of adhesions and the overall feasibility of minimally invasive surgery.
When managing a patient with suspected bowel obstruction, which clinical sign is most indicative of a strangulated obstruction?
Improvement in symptoms after resting
Non-specific vague abdominal discomfort
Severe, continuous pain with signs of peritonitis
Intermittent, mild colicky pain
Strangulated bowel obstruction typically presents with severe, continuous pain and peritoneal signs due to compromised blood flow to the intestines. This clinical picture is a surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze clinical data to support decision-making in surgical cases.
  2. Apply advanced surgical principles to patient management in a clinical setting.
  3. Integrate interdisciplinary knowledge to evaluate and improve surgical outcomes.
  4. Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams during clinical rotations.

General Surgery Sub-Internship Additional Reading

Embarking on your General Surgery Sub-Internship? Here are some top-notch resources to guide you through:

  1. This comprehensive guide from Oakland University offers a curated list of recommended textbooks, surgical atlases, self-directed learning modules, and databases tailored for surgical sub-interns.
  2. Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine provides detailed objectives and goals for the surgery sub-internship, emphasizing the development of cognitive, technical, and communication skills essential for residency.
  3. This study, published in PubMed, assesses the gaps in surgical sub-internship experiences and offers insights into developing a curriculum that better prepares students for general surgery residency.
  4. The Association of Women Surgeons provides a practical guide with tips and suggestions to help medical students excel during their sub-internship rotations.
  5. Inside the Match offers valuable advice on how to stand out during your general surgery sub-internship, including strategies for obtaining strong letters of recommendation and excelling both on the floor and in the operating room.
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