PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What indicates a hydration and alkalosis correction treatment in pyloric stenosis?

1. Extracellular volume depletion

2. Intracellular fluid overload

3. Respiratory alkalosis

4. Psychogenic edema

The correct answer is: Extracellular volume depletion

In the context of pyloric stenosis, the primary focus of treatment is to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, particularly because this condition often leads to metabolic alkalosis due to repeated vomiting of gastric contents. The presence of extracellular volume depletion indicates that the patient is experiencing significant fluid loss, typically associated with the vomiting that characterizes pyloric stenosis. Correcting this extracellular volume depletion is essential in the management of pyloric stenosis, as it not only helps restore adequate hydration status but also aids in restoring normal electrolyte levels. In this condition, patients often present with hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, and addressing the fluid losses directly impacts the resolution of these imbalances. The other options do not specifically highlight the urgent need for hydration. Intracellular fluid overload does not apply in this context, as pyloric stenosis usually leads to dehydration rather than fluid overload. Respiratory alkalosis is more closely associated with hyperventilation and may not be the primary concern in this scenario. Psychogenic edema does not relate to the typical presentation or management of pyloric stenosis and is generally not a relevant factor in the treatment of this condition.