FCPS IMM Surgery MCQs: High-Yield Practice Questions & Prep

This is a mixed sample from the FCPS IMM Surgery QBank, taken across subject blocks so you can gauge the level and style. Each answer is followed by the reasoning.

Sample MCQs

1. Perioperative myocardial infarction occurs following coronary bypass procedures in approximately:

• A) 15%.
• B) 10%.
• C) 7%.
• D) Less than 5%. ✅

Why: Following improvements in myocardial protection and coronary grafting techniques, perioperative myocardial infarction now occurs in less that 2% to 4% of patients in most series.

2. Fatty liver is NOT a feature of:

• A) Alcohol
• B) Obesity
• C) Pregnancy (acute fatty liver)
• D) Viral hepatitis ✅

Why: Fatty change is typical of alcohol, obesity, diabetes and acute fatty liver of pregnancy, not of viral hepatitis.

3. The term "neo-aorta" in ASO refers to:

• A) Reconstructed pulmonary artery
• B) Pulmonary root becoming the new aorta ✅
• C) Right atrium
• D) Vena cava

Why: In the arterial switch the pulmonary root becomes the new (neo-)aortic root.

4. Which is NOT a part of the portal triad?

• A) Hepatic artery
• B) Portal vein
• C) Hepatic vein ✅
• D) Bile duct

Why: The portal triad contains the hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct.

5. The most common eye complication of hypertension is:

• A) Cataract
• B) Glaucoma
• C) Optic atrophy
• D) Retinal vessel arteriosclerosis ✅

Why: Hypertensive retinopathy begins with arteriolar narrowing and arteriosclerotic changes.

6. The most common skin cancer is:

• A) Squamous cell carcinoma
• B) Basal cell carcinoma ✅
• C) Malignant melanoma
• D) Adenocarcinoma

Why: Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest skin cancer.

7. An inferior quadrantanopia suggests a lesion in the:

• A) Temporal lobe
• B) Frontal lobe
• C) Parietal lobe ✅
• D) Cerebellum

Why: Parietal lesions give "pie on the floor" defects.

8. Pneumothorax during sternotomy may result from:

• A) Innominate artery injury
• B) Rib fracture
• C) Pleural cavity opening ✅
• D) Overuse of cautery

Why: Opening the pleural cavity during sternotomy causes pneumothorax and needs a chest drain.

9. Zone II of the neck lies between:

• A) The cricoid cartilage and the angle of the mandible ✅
• B) The clavicle and the cricoid cartilage
• C) The angle of the mandible and the skull base
• D) The thyroid cartilage and the sternal notch

Why: Zone I is below the cricoid, zone II between cricoid and mandibular angle, and zone III above the angle of the mandible.

10. Adenocarcinoma of the caecum without nodes or metastasis is treated by:

• A) Anterior resection
• B) Hartmann procedure
• C) Abdominoperineal resection
• D) Right hemicolectomy ✅

Why: The right colon is removed with ileocolic and right colic vessels.

11. What resection margin is needed for colon cancer?

• A) 5 cm ✅
• B) 1 cm
• C) 10 cm
• D) 2 cm

Why: Colon cancer resection needs at least 5 cm of bowel on each side of the tumour.

12. The best investigation to show primary and secondary fistula tracts is:

• A) Plain x-ray
• B) Barium enema
• C) MRI fistulogram ✅
• D) Colonoscopy

Why: MRI and endoanal ultrasound delineate tracts accurately.

Next Steps

Work through one subject at a time in Tutor mode, then move to mixed Timed sets. Confirm the current exam format with CPSP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free trial?

Yes, a limited free batch is available in Tutor mode.

How are the questions organised?

By subject block, so you can drill one area at a time or take mixed sets.

Practise With the Full QBank

The FCPS IMM Surgery QBank has a free trial batch in Tutor mode, subject filters and Timed mode. Related: complete exam guide, how to use recalls.