PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which condition includes differential diagnoses such as bowel obstruction and cholecystitis?

1. Nausea/vomiting

2. Anemia

3. Diarrhea

4. Hematemesis

The correct answer is: Nausea/vomiting

The condition that includes differential diagnoses such as bowel obstruction and cholecystitis is related to nausea and vomiting. Both bowel obstruction and cholecystitis can present with symptoms of nausea and vomiting as a common response to digestive disturbances. In the case of a bowel obstruction, the blockage can lead to a buildup of contents in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in nausea and vomiting as the body attempts to relieve the pressure. Similarly, cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder, can cause nausea and vomiting due to irritation of the gastrointestinal system from biliary colic or inflammation. When considering the other conditions: anemia primarily involves a deficiency in red blood cells and does not commonly lead to nausea or vomiting as a primary symptom. Diarrhea indicates an upset in bowel function that is distinct from vomiting, as it focuses on the expulsion of liquid stool rather than the retching or expulsion associated with nausea. Hematemesis, while it may involve vomiting, specifically refers to the vomiting of blood and is indicative of a specific gastrointestinal issue rather than a broad set of differential diagnoses that include bowel obstruction or cholecystitis. Thus, nausea and vomiting serve as a critical symptom that can be linked to the underlying causes of