6 Hours Of Sudden in Surgery — 58yo Man | General Surgery | SMLE Q#12423
SMLE Question #12423
Surgery
General Surgery
Objective: OBJ-TRACH-EMERG-01
Last updated: February 2026
A 58-year-old man presents with 6 hours of sudden severe epigastric pain radiating to the right shoulder. He uses over-the-counter ibuprofen intermittently for knee pain. Upright abdominal radiograph shows free intraperitoneal air. He undergoes emergency laparotomy for a 0.8-cm perforated anterior duodenal ulcer repaired with an omental (Graham) patch, and Helicobacter pylori testing is sent. Before discharge, which single advice should be emphasized to reduce recurrence and complications?
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