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Enterocutaneous Fistula Management — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardGI SymptomsEnterocutaneous Fistula ManagementSCE Palliative Medicine

A high-output malignant enterocutaneous fistula causes dehydration, electrolyte loss and painful skin excoriation. What is the immediate multidisciplinary priority?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: DRestore physiology, control output, protect skin and individualise nutrition

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · C = shown as B · E = shown as C · A = shown as E

D is correct. Initial care stabilises fluid and electrolytes, quantifies and contains output, protects skin with specialist stoma or wound input and develops an individual nutrition plan; surgery depends on anatomy, prognosis and goals after stabilisation. B omits other urgent domains, C may worsen uncontrolled losses, E damages skin and does not close a fistula, and A bypasses optimisation and proportionality.

Reference: NICE CG32: nutrition support for adults: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg32/chapter/Recommendations