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Constipation (P)
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1. Which of the following best defines constipation?
*
Passing stools three or more times per day
Passing hard stools less than three times per week
Passing hard stools frequently
D. Having a bowel movement every other day
2. What is a common dietary cause of constipation?
*
High fibre intake
Dehydration
Excessive fruit consumption
High caffeine intake
3. Which of the following medications is commonly associated with constipation?
*
Metformin
Opioids
Statins
Proton pump inhibitors
4. Which red flag symptom in a patient with constipation warrants urgent referral?
*
Mild bloating
Tenesmus •
Unintentional weight loss and rectal bleeding
Rectal bleeding alone
5. What is the first-line treatment for most cases of simple constipation in adults?
*
Lifestyle and dietary changes
Stimulant laxatives
Enema
Colonoscopy
6. Which medication works by softening stool consistency?
*
Bisacodyl
Macrogol
Ispaghula husk
Docusate Sodium
7. Which of the following is a bulk-forming laxative?
*
Lactulose
Senna
Fybogel
Docusol
8. In which group is constipation especially common and often under-reported?
*
Young adults
Children
Older adults
Pregnant women
9. What lifestyle measure is helpful in managing chronic constipation?
*
Prolonged bed rest
Regular physical activity and increased fluid intake
Avoiding carbohydrates
Night-time laxative use
10. When is a digital rectal examination indicated in constipation?
*
Never in primary care
Never without a chaperone
Never in children
To assess for faecal impaction or rectal mass
11. Which of the following may suggest faecal impaction?
*
Regular soft stools
Intermittent diarrhoea
Increased appetite
Mild nausea
12. What is a possible complication of prolonged untreated constipation?
*
Diarrhoea
Appendicitis
Faecal impaction
Crohn’s disease
13. Which condition is often associated with chronic constipation and bloating?
*
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Asthma
GORD
Peptic ulcer disease
14. How long should laxatives be used before reviewing response and adjusting treatment?
*
2 days
1 week
1–2 weeks
6 months
15. Which of these is NOT a typical symptom of constipation?
*
Hard stools
Abdominal discomfort
Straining to defecate
Urgency with loose stools
16. What diagnostic test may be used in patients with chronic constipation and no red flags?
*
Abdominal CT
Faecal calprotectin
Sigmoidoscopy
Colonic transit study
17. What condition should be considered in chronic constipation with fatigue and weight gain?
*
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Coeliac disease
Addison’s disease
18. Which of these foods is recommended to relieve constipation?
*
White rice
Cheese
Chocolate
Whole grains and vegetables
19. What is the primary mechanism of osmotic laxatives like lactulose?
*
Increasing stool water content
Stimulating peristalsis
Lubricating the colon
Blocking opioid receptors
20. What is an important consideration when prescribing laxatives long-term?
*
Electrolyte imbalance and dependence risk
They are always safe long-term
They prevent colorectal cancer
They improve appetite