Thoracic Surgery Quizzes: Master Lung, Pleura, and Mediastinum Conditions

Question 1

Which of the following is a widely recognized major risk factor for the development of lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Smoking cigarettes or exposure to secondhand smoke

Answer

Air pollution in urban areas

Answer

Obesity and being overweight

Answer

Family history of lung cancer

Question 2

Among the different types of lung cancer, which is the most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma

Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer

Small cell carcinoma

Answer

Large cell carcinoma

Question 3

In cases where a pleural effusion is caused by a lung infection, what is the primary method of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Administering antibiotics to combat the infection

Answer

Draining the excess fluid from the pleural space

Answer

Performing surgery to remove the affected portion of the lung

Answer

Using radiation therapy to shrink the lung and reduce fluid production

Question 4

After a lung resection, which of the following potential complications is an abnormal collection of air in the pleural space?

Accepted Answer

Air leak, an opening in the lung or airway that allows air to escape

Answer

Pneumonia, an infection of the lung tissue

Answer

Bleeding, excessive loss of blood during or after surgery

Answer

Empyema, a collection of pus in the pleural space

Question 5

For the surgical removal of a solitary pulmonary nodule, which surgical approach is typically employed?

Accepted Answer

Wedge resection, removal of a small, wedge-shaped portion of the lung

Answer

Lobectomy, removal of an entire lobe of the lung

Answer

Pneumonectomy, removal of an entire lung

Answer

Segmentectomy, removal of a segment of the lung

Question 6

Which of the following is the most common cause of chylothorax, a condition characterized by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space?

Accepted Answer

Trauma, such as a chest injury

Answer

Cancer, particularly involving the lymphatic system

Answer

Infection, such as tuberculosis

Answer

Congenital anomalies, present from birth

Question 7

Which of the following is a primary indication for lobectomy in surgical management of lung conditions?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer

Answer

Bronchiectasis

Answer

Emphysema

Answer

Pleural effusion

Question 8

In evaluating a chest radiograph of a trauma patient, what does mediastinal widening suggest?

Accepted Answer

Occult aortic injury

Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Normal anatomy

Question 9

Among the various pathological types of lung cancer, which is the most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma

Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer

Small cell carcinoma

Answer

Large cell carcinoma

Question 10

Among the potential complications of pleural effusion, which is the most common?

Accepted Answer

Empyema

Answer

Pleural fibrosis

Answer

Hemothorax

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Question 11

Which procedure is most commonly associated with the development of iatrogenic pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Central line insertion

Answer

Thoracentesis

Answer

Needle biopsy

Answer

Bronchoscopy

Question 12

In surgical management of thoracic conditions, which procedure is most frequently indicated for obtaining lung tissue samples?

Accepted Answer

Lung biopsy via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

Answer

Pleural effusion drainage

Answer

Lobectomy

Answer

Pneumonectomy

Question 13

Emphysema is a lung condition characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls. Describe its key pathophysiological features and clinical manifestations.

Accepted Answer

Destruction of alveolar walls, leading to overinflation, loss of elasticity, airflow obstruction, and dyspnea.

Answer

Excessive mucus production, leading to bronchiectasis and recurrent infections.

Answer

Collapse of alveoli, causing decreased gas exchange and hypoxia.

Answer

Hypertrophy of smooth muscle in the airways, causing bronchospasm and wheezing.

Question 14

Which symptom is most commonly associated with lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged coughing

Answer

Shortness of breath

Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Chest pain

Question 15

What underlying condition is the most prevalent cause of spontaneous pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, occurring without an apparent cause?

Accepted Answer

Emphysema

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Trauma

Question 16

Which surgical intervention is employed to reduce lung volume and improve lung function in severe emphysema?

Accepted Answer

Lung volume reduction surgery

Answer

Lobectomy

Answer

Pneumonectomy

Answer

Thoracotomy

Question 17

In the context of mesothelioma, which diagnostic method provides definitive confirmation?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy

Answer

Chest radiograph

Answer

CT imaging

Answer

Bronchoscopy

Question 18

Which histological subtype of lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma

Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer

Large cell carcinoma

Answer

Small cell lung cancer

Question 19

In thoracic surgery, which procedure involves the surgical removal of a lung lobe?

Accepted Answer

Lobectomy

Answer

Pneumonectomy

Answer

Segmentectomy

Answer

Wedge resection

Question 20

Following thoracic surgery, which potential complication encompasses the possibility of infection, bleeding, or pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Any of the above

Answer

Sepsis

Answer

Hemorrhage

Answer

Pulmonary infection

Question 21

A 65-year-old patient, with a history of smoking, presents with a persistent cough and coughing up blood (hemoptysis). A chest X-ray reveals a 3cm mass in the right upper lobe of the lung. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Question 22

A patient diagnosed with emphysema presents with shortness of breath (dyspnea) and wheezing. Which of the following surgical procedures might be beneficial in improving their lung function?

Accepted Answer

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS)

Answer

Thoracoscopy (a minimally invasive procedure to view the chest cavity)

Answer

Pneumonectomy (removal of a lung)

Question 23

A 30-year-old female patient has experienced multiple episodes of air leaking into the space between the lung and the chest wall (spontaneous pneumothoraces). What is the most appropriate surgical approach to prevent further occurrences?

Accepted Answer

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pleurodesis

Answer

Thoracotomy (open chest surgery)

Answer

Lobectomy (removal of a lung lobe)

Answer

Bronchoscopy (examining the airways with a scope)

Question 24

A patient with a large accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural effusion) undergoes a procedure to remove this fluid (thoracentesis). The fluid analysis reveals the presence of cancer cells. What is the next step in managing this patient?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy of the tumor to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the cancer

Answer

Observation and follow-up to monitor for any changes

Answer

Antibiotic therapy to treat a potential infection

Answer

Insertion of a chest tube to drain the fluid

Question 25

Which of the following is a significant risk factor for developing lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Smoking cigarettes

Answer

Following a vegetarian diet

Answer

Having a low body mass index

Answer

Regular exercise

Question 26

A patient with a mass in the area between the lungs (mediastinum) is undergoing a minimally invasive procedure to obtain a sample of the mass (mediastinoscopy). What is the main purpose of this procedure?

Accepted Answer

To obtain a biopsy of the mass for diagnosis

Answer

To drain fluid from the chest

Answer

To insert a tube to drain fluid from the chest

Answer

To remove the entire mass

Question 27

A patient with a history of lung cancer develops difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). What is the most likely cause of this new symptom?

Accepted Answer

The tumor has grown and is pressing on or invading the esophagus

Answer

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Answer

Acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus