NEET-PG Surgery Previous Year Questions (2017–2026)

Correct answer: 8

Scoring each component: Eye opening = 1 (none), Verbal = 3 (inappropriate words), Motor = 4 (withdrawal from pain). E1 + V3 + M4 = 8. A GCS of 8 or less is the conventional threshold at which the airway should be secured by intubation.

GCS chart - E1 + V3 + M4 = 8.

Incorrect Options:

• 7: would require a lower verbal or motor score than described (for example incomprehensible sounds, V2).


Decerebrate posturing (M2) - would give a lower score.

• 9: would need a higher component, such as eye opening to pain (E2).


Intubation - indicated once GCS is 8 or less.

• 10: overestimates the responses given in the vignette.


Severe head injury - severity is graded by the GCS.

High-Yield Facts:

• GCS ranges from 3 to 15 (Eye 1-4, Verbal 1-5, Motor 1-6).
• GCS 8 or less defines severe head injury and the need to protect the airway.
• Withdrawal to pain scores M4; localising to pain scores M5.
• Inappropriate words score V3; confused speech scores V4.

Correct answer: B. Bowel rest with parenteral nutrition.

This is a low-output enterocutaneous fistula (under 200 mL/day) in a stable patient without sepsis. Management is conservative: sepsis control, nutrition and skin protection. Resting the bowel with parenteral nutrition reduces output, and up to two-thirds of such fistulae close spontaneously.

Bowel rest plus TPN lowers output and aids closure.

Incorrect Options:

• Exploratory laparotomy: early re-operation in a stable patient risks a hostile abdomen and more fistulae; surgery is delayed if it fails to close.


Early take-back and stoma are not first-line here.

• Resection with anastomosis: anastomosis in an inflamed, contaminated field breaks down; deferred to a planned later operation.


Anastomosis in a hostile abdomen usually leaks.

• Continue orals and observe: oral feeding maintains high fistula output and impairs closure of an enteric leak.


Oral feeding keeps fistula output high.

High-Yield Facts:

• Fistula output: low (<200 mL), moderate (200 to 500 mL), high (>500 mL/day).
• Remember SNAP: Sepsis control, Nutrition, Anatomy definition, Plan for surgery.
• Up to two-thirds of low-output fistulae close with conservative care.
• FRIEND factors prevent closure: Foreign body, Radiation, Inflammation/IBD, Epithelialisation, Neoplasm, Distal obstruction.

Correct answer: C. Monopolar diathermy.

In monopolar electrosurgery the current passes from a small active electrode through the patient to a large dispersive return plate. The presence of a separate patient plate is the giveaway.

Monopolar current flows through the patient to a return plate.

Incorrect Options:

• Bipolar diathermy: current stays between the two tips of the forceps, so no patient plate is used; it is safer near pacemakers and appendages.


Bipolar needs no return plate.

• Argon plasma coagulation: a non-contact jet of ionised argon delivers energy for surface haemostasis.


APC is non-contact plasma coagulation.

• Harmonic scalpel: cuts and seals by ultrasonic vibration, with no electrical current through the patient.


Harmonic uses ultrasound, not electric current.

High-Yield Facts:

• Monopolar: small active electrode + large return plate; current through the patient.
• Bipolar: current confined between two tips; no plate needed.
• Prefer bipolar near pacemakers, digits, penis and other appendages.
• A poorly applied return plate can cause pad-site burns.