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

Trauma & Critical Care is one of the subject blocks in the FCPS IMM Surgery QBank. It covers ATLS-style primary survey, shock, fluid resuscitation, transfusion and electrolytes. Below is a sample set in the style of the bank, with the reasoning after each answer.

Sample MCQs

1. Head injury is commonly associated with which electrolyte disturbance?

• A) Hypernatraemia only
• B) Hyperkalaemia
• C) Hypercalcaemia
• D) Hyponatraemia (SIADH) ✅

Why: SIADH causes hyponatraemia; symptomatic cases get 3% saline.

2. Which electrolyte abnormality causes U waves on ECG?

• A) Hyperkalemia
• B) Hypokalemia ✅
• C) Hypercalcemia
• D) Hypocalcemia

Why: Hypokalemia: flattened T waves, prominent U waves.

3. Lack of lipid in long-term TPN causes:

• A) Hyperglycaemia
• B) Hyperkalaemia
• C) Cholestasis
• D) Skin rash and alopecia (essential fatty acid deficiency) ✅

Why: Linoleic acid deficiency leads to dermatitis and hair loss.

4. Sepsis increases the basal metabolic rate by approximately:

• A) 10%
• B) 50% ✅
• C) 200%
• D) 5%

Why: Sepsis increases BMR by about 50%, major burns by up to 100-200%.

5. What is the best way to manage a febrile non-haemolytic blood transfusion reaction?

• A) Washed red cells
• B) Stopping transfusion permanently and giving adrenaline
• C) Antipyretics such as paracetamol ✅
• D) Exchange transfusion

Why: Febrile reaction is the commonest transfusion reaction and is managed with antipyretics after slowing or pausing the transfusion.

6. Thrombolytic therapy is frequently used in the treatment of suspected stroke. Which of the following is a significant complication associated with thrombolytic therapy?

• A) Air embolus.
• B) Cerebral hemorrhage. ✅
• C) Expansion of the clot.
• D) Resolution of the clot.

Why: Cerebral haemorrhage is the major complication of thrombolysis.

7. The first-line treatment for all types of shock is:

• A) Fluid resuscitation ✅
• B) Inotropes
• C) Vasopressors
• D) Steroids

Why: Restore volume first unless the cause is cardiogenic.

8. The most common cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage in the elderly is:

• A) Hypertension
• B) AVM
• C) Cerebral amyloid angiopathy ✅
• D) Tumor bleed

Why: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is the commonest cause of lobar haemorrhage in the elderly.

9. The investigation of choice in a stable patient with splenic trauma is:

• A) Contrast CT scan ✅
• B) Ultrasound
• C) Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
• D) Plain x-ray

Why: Contrast CT grades the injury and detects active bleeding.

10. In acute facial nerve trauma, which test is most sensitive in assessing the degree of reinnervation?

• A) Clinical examination
• B) Nerve stimulation
• C) Nerve conduction velocity
• D) Electromyography ✅

Why: Electromyography is the most sensitive test for assessing reinnervation after facial nerve injury.

How to Study This Block

• Rehearse the primary survey in order: airway with cervical spine control, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure.
• Classify haemorrhagic shock and know when to give blood.
• Know the common electrolyte emergencies and their first treatment.

Each subject in the QBank can be filtered on its own, so you can drill trauma & critical care until your accuracy is stable. Confirm the exam format and syllabus against the current CPSP guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this ATLS?

The questions follow the ATLS approach to the injured patient, but they are not an ATLS course.

Are acid-base questions included?

Yes, with fluid and electrolyte disorders in surgical patients.

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.