COMAT Surgery Examination Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A 45-year-old man presents with right lower quadrant pain, fever, and
leukocytosis. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Diverticulitis
B. Acute appendicitis
C. Crohn disease
D. Gastroenteritis
Acute appendicitis is most likely due to RLQ pain, fever, and elevated WBC
in this clinical setting.
2. Best initial imaging for suspected acute cholecystitis?
A. CT abdomen
B. ERCP
,C. Right upper quadrant ultrasound
D. MRI abdomen
Ultrasound is the first-line imaging for gallbladder inflammation due to
high sensitivity for gallstones and wall thickening.
3. Classic triad of biliary colic includes?
A. Fever, jaundice, RUQ pain
B. RUQ pain after fatty meals, nausea, vomiting
C. Hematuria, flank pain, fever
D. Epigastric pain, diarrhea, weight loss
Biliary colic typically presents with postprandial RUQ pain, nausea, and
vomiting.
4. Most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults?
A. Hernia
B. Malignancy
C. Volvulus
D. Adhesions from prior surgery
Post-surgical adhesions are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction in
developed countries.
, 5. Most common location of peptic ulcers?
A. Esophagus
B. Jejunum
C. Duodenum
D. Colon
Duodenal ulcers are more common than gastric ulcers.
6. Which finding suggests perforated peptic ulcer?
A. Melena
B. Hematemesis
C. Free air under diaphragm
D. Constipation
Pneumoperitoneum on imaging indicates perforation of a hollow viscus.
7. Gold standard treatment for acute appendicitis?
A. Antibiotics only
B. Observation
C. Appendectomy
D. Bowel rest
Appendectomy is definitive treatment for acute appendicitis.
, 8. Most common type of hernia?
A. Femoral
B. Umbilical
C. Incisional
D. Inguinal
Inguinal hernias are the most frequent type in adults.
9. Strangulated hernia is characterized by:
A. Reducible mass
B. Intermittent pain
C. Ischemia of herniated bowel
D. No symptoms
Strangulation leads to compromised blood flow and surgical emergency.
10. Initial management of tension pneumothorax?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Oxygen only
C. Needle decompression
D. Observation
Immediate needle decompression is life-saving before imaging.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A 45-year-old man presents with right lower quadrant pain, fever, and
leukocytosis. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Diverticulitis
B. Acute appendicitis
C. Crohn disease
D. Gastroenteritis
Acute appendicitis is most likely due to RLQ pain, fever, and elevated WBC
in this clinical setting.
2. Best initial imaging for suspected acute cholecystitis?
A. CT abdomen
B. ERCP
,C. Right upper quadrant ultrasound
D. MRI abdomen
Ultrasound is the first-line imaging for gallbladder inflammation due to
high sensitivity for gallstones and wall thickening.
3. Classic triad of biliary colic includes?
A. Fever, jaundice, RUQ pain
B. RUQ pain after fatty meals, nausea, vomiting
C. Hematuria, flank pain, fever
D. Epigastric pain, diarrhea, weight loss
Biliary colic typically presents with postprandial RUQ pain, nausea, and
vomiting.
4. Most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults?
A. Hernia
B. Malignancy
C. Volvulus
D. Adhesions from prior surgery
Post-surgical adhesions are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction in
developed countries.
, 5. Most common location of peptic ulcers?
A. Esophagus
B. Jejunum
C. Duodenum
D. Colon
Duodenal ulcers are more common than gastric ulcers.
6. Which finding suggests perforated peptic ulcer?
A. Melena
B. Hematemesis
C. Free air under diaphragm
D. Constipation
Pneumoperitoneum on imaging indicates perforation of a hollow viscus.
7. Gold standard treatment for acute appendicitis?
A. Antibiotics only
B. Observation
C. Appendectomy
D. Bowel rest
Appendectomy is definitive treatment for acute appendicitis.
, 8. Most common type of hernia?
A. Femoral
B. Umbilical
C. Incisional
D. Inguinal
Inguinal hernias are the most frequent type in adults.
9. Strangulated hernia is characterized by:
A. Reducible mass
B. Intermittent pain
C. Ischemia of herniated bowel
D. No symptoms
Strangulation leads to compromised blood flow and surgical emergency.
10. Initial management of tension pneumothorax?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Oxygen only
C. Needle decompression
D. Observation
Immediate needle decompression is life-saving before imaging.
