Question

Gastrointestinal decompression during a general surgical procedure can be effected by the use of a?

A. Nasogastric tube insertion
B. Rectal tube insertion
C. Duodenal intubation
D. Colonoscopy
E. None of the above

Answer 1

Gastrointestinal decompression during surgery is typically done with a nasogastric tube, while rectal tube insertion, duodenal intubation, and colonoscopy serve different purposes in gastrointestinal procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gastrointestinal Decompression

In the context of general surgical procedures, gastrointestinal decompression is commonly achieved by the insertion of a nasogastric tube (NG tube). This is a tube that is passed through the nose, down through the oesophagus, and into the stomach. Decompression of the gastrointestinal tract allows for the removal of gastric contents and air; it prevents vomiting and aspiration, which could be particularly dangerous during surgery. The NG tube can also be used postoperatively to keep the stomach decompressed while it heals.

While other options like rectal tube insertion, duodenal intubation, and colonoscopy are relevant to gastrointestinal procedures, they are not customarily used for decompression during surgery.

If examining other parts of the gastrointestinal tract or questioning related conditions, a colonoscopy could help diagnose issues like diverticulitis, which causes inflamed and infected pouches in the large intestine. For conditions in the upper GI tract such as peptic ulcers, an endoscope is utilized for diagnosis.