General Surgery

20 learning units • 100 chapter sections • 200 explained questions. Assess surgical disease, recognise complications and connect intervention with safe recovery and follow-up.

Original RAHBAR study material for the Year 4 learning pathway. Clinical cases support supervised undergraduate learning. Treatment choices, doses and procedures must follow current local protocols and the responsible clinical team. References & further reading ↓

MODULE 11 / 20

Colorectal Cancer & Diverticular Disease

Investigate altered bowel habit and bleeding while separating uncomplicated disease from obstruction, perforation and sepsis.

Choose an answer and check it immediately. Change your choice to try again. This is a self-study exercise; results are not saved.

Question 01. Does identifying haemorrhoids exclude colorectal cancer? A. Yes, if blood is redB. NoC. Only if the patient is olderD. Yes, if pain is absent

Question 02. Which combination warrants colorectal evaluation? A. One resolved loose stool without other featuresB. Stable appetite and no symptomsC. A remote uncomplicated appendicectomy aloneD. Persistent bowel change with iron-deficiency anaemia

Question 03. How should a low FIT result be interpreted with persistent concerning symptoms? A. Treat it as an absolute lifetime exclusionB. Ignore all future bleedingC. Cancel every referral automaticallyD. Continue clinical review and appropriate safety-netting or investigation

Question 04. What is needed after tissue confirmation of colorectal cancer? A. Immediate identical surgery for everyoneB. Staging and multidisciplinary planningC. A tumour marker as the only next testD. No discussion of functional goals

Question 05. Why is pelvic staging important in rectal cancer? A. Local anatomy affects treatment planningB. It measures only dehydrationC. It replaces histology in every caseD. It determines all distant disease alone

Question 06. What is the priority in perforated colorectal cancer with shock? A. Complete outpatient staging before supportB. Routine oral iron onlyC. Resuscitation and urgent source-control assessmentD. Wait for a screening test

Question 07. Which is a complication of diverticulitis? A. Intra-abdominal abscessB. A normal incidental diverticulum onlyC. Uncomplicated refluxD. Isolated thyroid swelling

Question 08. Does every episode of diverticulitis require resection? A. Yes, universallyB. No, management depends on severity and contextC. Only age determines itD. Every recurrent pain proves perforation

Question 09. Why may a stoma be safer than immediate anastomosis in an emergency? A. Stomas have no consequencesB. Every bowel operation requires oneC. Anastomoses always failD. Contamination and poor physiology can increase leak risk

Question 10. What should persistent symptoms after presumed diverticulitis prompt? A. Indefinite identical treatment without reviewB. Reassessment for complications or alternative pathologyC. Assuming symptoms are always functionalD. Avoiding further history

0 / 10 answeredReady for assessment →

References & Further Reading

Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.

Reference review: 27 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.