SESAP Question

Category 4 Item 10

A 72-year-old man with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus has epigastric pain and moderate upper abdominal tenderness with nausea and vomiting. The computed tomographic (CT) scan shown is obtained.

The most appropriate management includes intravenous hydration and

bowel rest
systemic antibiotics and observation
systemic antibiotics and urgent operation
systemic antibiotics and operation in 48 to 72 hours
systemic antibiotics and elective esophagogastro-duonenoscopy.

For the incomplete statement above select the one answer that is best of the five given.

For the critique of this item see page 370.

Footnotes

(Reproduced by permission from SESAP No 10 1999–2001 Syllabus Volume 1. For enrolment in the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program, please apply to the American College of Surgeons, 55 East Erie St., Chicago, IL 60611, USA.)