Airway: Cormack-Lehane grading: 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.

Try it

ENT · Airway: Cormack-Lehane grading

Sample item

On direct laryngoscopy, only the epiglottis is seen with no glottic structures visible. What is the Cormack-Lehane grade?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Grade III

Grade I shows most of the glottis, grade II only the posterior part, grade III shows only the epiglottis, and grade IV shows no glottis or epiglottis, only soft palate. Grades III and IV predict difficult intubation. Adjuncts such as a bougie or video laryngoscope are used.

Option by option

  • A. Grade I

    Grade I shows most of the glottic opening.

  • B. Grade II

    Grade II shows only the arytenoids or posterior cords.

  • C. Grade III (correct)

    Correct. Only the epiglottis is visible in grade III.

  • D. Grade IV

    Grade IV shows no epiglottis.

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 C, Grade III. Grade I shows most of the glottis, grade II only the posterior part, grade III shows only the epiglottis, and grade IV shows no glottis or epiglottis, only soft palate.

Why is "Grade I" not the answer?

Grade I shows most of the glottic opening.

Why is "Grade II" not the answer?

Grade II shows only the arytenoids or posterior cords.

Why is "Grade IV" not the answer?

Grade IV shows no epiglottis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway: Cormack-Lehane grading in ENT. Grades III and IV predict difficult intubation. Adjuncts such as a bougie or video laryngoscope are used.

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 Airway: Cormack-Lehane grading?

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.