Which signs suggest intestinal obstruction rather than simple constipation in an advanced cancer patient?

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Multiple Choice

Which signs suggest intestinal obstruction rather than simple constipation in an advanced cancer patient?

In intestinal obstruction, the bowel cannot move contents past the blockage, so gas and fluid build up above it. This leads to progressive abdominal distension and obstipation (inability to pass stool or gas). Those two signs together are the strongest clue that obstruction is present rather than simple constipation, where stool may be hard or infrequent but passage is still possible and distension is typically less marked. Regular bowel movements argue against obstruction, and nausea or mild cramping can occur with many GI issues, making them less specific. So the hallmark here is the combination of progressive distension with obstipation.

In intestinal obstruction, the bowel cannot move contents past the blockage, so gas and fluid build up above it. This leads to progressive abdominal distension and obstipation (inability to pass stool or gas). Those two signs together are the strongest clue that obstruction is present rather than simple constipation, where stool may be hard or infrequent but passage is still possible and distension is typically less marked. Regular bowel movements argue against obstruction, and nausea or mild cramping can occur with many GI issues, making them less specific. So the hallmark here is the combination of progressive distension with obstipation.

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