Which statement best describes a mechanical bowel obstruction?

Which statement best describes a mechanical bowel obstruction?

• A. Non-mechanical is flow blocked
• B. Obstruction only due to external damage
• C. Mechanical obstruction is when the flow is blocked
• D. Mechanical obstruction is due to infection

Answer: (C)

A mechanical bowel obstruction is a physical blockage inside the intestine that prevents contents from passing. This means there is a real barrier—adhesions, hernias, tumors, or a twisted segment—that stops the flow of intestinal contents. This is different from a non-mechanical (paralytic) ileus, where the bowel isn’t moving but there isn’t a physical blockage along the lumen. So the statement that mechanical obstruction occurs when the flow is blocked best captures the concept. The other ideas are incorrect because non-mechanical means no actual blockage, obstruction isn’t limited to external damage, and infection isn’t the defining cause of a mechanical obstruction.

A mechanical bowel obstruction is a physical blockage inside the intestine that prevents contents from passing. This means there is a real barrier—adhesions, hernias, tumors, or a twisted segment—that stops the flow of intestinal contents. This is different from a non-mechanical (paralytic) ileus, where the bowel isn’t moving but there isn’t a physical blockage along the lumen. So the statement that mechanical obstruction occurs when the flow is blocked best captures the concept. The other ideas are incorrect because non-mechanical means no actual blockage, obstruction isn’t limited to external damage, and infection isn’t the defining cause of a mechanical obstruction.