Scenario
A 70 year old woman presents with two days of increasing abdominal pain and vomiting.
Question
a. Describe and interpret her abdominal X-ray (50%) b. Outline your management (50%)
Answer
FACEM VAQ Exam 2009.2 – Question 8
- The overall pass rate for this question was 56/67 (83.6%).
- Supine plain abdominal X-ray showing features as below.
- Pass criteria
- Correctly describe X-ray, including describing both small and large bowel obstruction, and the lack of gas in the sigmoid colon and rectum.
- Provide a reasonable interpretation.
- Describe essential elements of management, including IV fluids, surgical referral, analgesia.
- Fail criteria:
- Not describing large and small bowel obstruction and the change in gas pattern at the splenic flexure.
- Not providing the important aspects of management as above
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