SURGICAL FINALS Passing the Clinical - PasTest

G E N E R A L P O I N T ST O P I C S C O V E R E D I N O S C E SA N D V I V A SObjec ts used as talking pointsExaminers will often have an array of objects in front of them that serve asuseful talking points; they may also be incorporated into OSCEs.Results of investigationsFamiliarise yourself with plain radiographs, CT and MRI scans of theskull, chest and abdomen, and barium studies, IVUs and angiograms.Examiners like to know if you have actually seen these investigations andmay ask you to describe the procedures. You should also know normalhaematological and biochemical values.Pathology specimensIf handed a pathology pot, look all around the specimen: a discouragingamorphous mass on one view may be easily recognised by the presenceof a nipple or an appendix on the other side. Note the organ, describe theabnormalities and make a diagnosis. You may then be asked about thecondition and how the patient might have presented.Other objectsYou are expected to recognise a variety of instruments and tubing.These include an endotracheal tube, a laryngoscope, a Guedel airway,a laryngeal mask, a chest drain, a tracheostomy tube, a Sengstaken–Blakemore tube, a T-tube, a proctoscope, sigmoidoscope and anendoscope. You may be asked to describe a practical procedure such ashow to catheterise or how to put down an endotracheal tube.O ther popular viva topicsPopular questions are listed at the end of each chapter in this book.You should also be particularly aware of emergencies, anatomy andembryology, and general surgical care.19