Larynx and airway: Westley croup score: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Larynx and airway: Westley croup score

Sample item

A child with croup has stridor at rest, marked retractions, cyanosis in air and a depressed level of consciousness. How is the severity classified by the Westley score?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Severe, needing nebulised adrenaline and steroids with close monitoring

The Westley score rates stridor, retractions, air entry, cyanosis and level of consciousness, with 12 or more indicating severe croup. Cyanosis and altered consciousness are the most serious signs. Treatment is nebulised adrenaline, dexamethasone and readiness for airway intervention.

Option by option

  • A. Severe, needing nebulised adrenaline and steroids with close monitoring (correct)

    Correct. These features indicate severe disease.

  • B. Mild, needing only reassurance

    Mild croup has only occasional barking cough.

  • C. Not classified

    The score classifies severity into mild, moderate and severe.

  • D. Moderate, needing only oral fluids

    Moderate disease has resting stridor without distress.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Severe, needing nebulised adrenaline and steroids with close monitoring. The Westley score rates stridor, retractions, air entry, cyanosis and level of consciousness, with 12 or more indicating severe croup.

Why is "Mild, needing only reassurance" not the answer?

Mild croup has only occasional barking cough.

Why is "Not classified" not the answer?

The score classifies severity into mild, moderate and severe.

Why is "Moderate, needing only oral fluids" not the answer?

Moderate disease has resting stridor without distress.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: Westley croup score in ENT. Cyanosis and altered consciousness are the most serious signs. Treatment is nebulised adrenaline, dexamethasone and readiness for airway intervention.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Larynx and airway: Westley croup score?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.