Larynx and airway: post-extubation stridor: 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: post-extubation stridor

Sample item

A patient develops stridor 30 minutes after extubation from a prolonged ventilation due to laryngeal oedema. What is the initial management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nebulised adrenaline, intravenous steroids and humidified oxygen

Post-extubation stridor is usually due to laryngeal oedema. Nebulised adrenaline, corticosteroids, humidified oxygen and head-up positioning are first-line, with reintubation or tracheostomy for failure. Sedation can worsen obstruction.

Option by option

  • A. Sedation

    Sedation can worsen the airway.

  • B. Nebulised adrenaline, intravenous steroids and humidified oxygen (correct)

    Correct. This reduces oedema.

  • C. Oral antibiotics

    Antibiotics do not treat oedema.

  • D. Immediate tracheostomy in all cases

    Tracheostomy is reserved for failure of medical therapy.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Nebulised adrenaline, intravenous steroids and humidified oxygen. Post-extubation stridor is usually due to laryngeal oedema.

Why is "Sedation" not the answer?

Sedation can worsen the airway.

Why is "Oral antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not treat oedema.

Why is "Immediate tracheostomy in all cases" not the answer?

Tracheostomy is reserved for failure of medical therapy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: post-extubation stridor in ENT. Nebulised adrenaline, corticosteroids, humidified oxygen and head-up positioning are first-line, with reintubation or tracheostomy for failure. Sedation can worsen obstruction.

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: post-extubation stridor?

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.