Ear and audiology: tubal occlusion stage of AOM: 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 · Ear and audiology: tubal occlusion stage of AOM

Sample item

A 6-year-old with a recent cold complains of fullness and mild hearing loss in one ear without fever or severe pain. The drum is retracted with a prominent lateral process and a dull cone of light. Which stage of acute otitis media is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Stage of tubal occlusion

Eustachian tube blockage causes negative middle ear pressure, so the drum is retracted and the handle appears foreshortened with a prominent lateral process. Symptoms are mild and fever is absent. Suppuration shows a bulging red drum, high fever and severe pain.

Option by option

  • A. Stage of suppuration

    Suppuration shows a bulging drum with severe pain and fever.

  • B. Stage of resolution

    Resolution follows suppuration with discharge or settling of signs.

  • C. Stage of complication

    Complication stage has intracranial or mastoid signs, which are absent.

  • D. Stage of tubal occlusion (correct)

    Correct. Retraction with minimal symptoms and no fever is typical of tubal occlusion.

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 D, Stage of tubal occlusion. Eustachian tube blockage causes negative middle ear pressure, so the drum is retracted and the handle appears foreshortened with a prominent lateral process.

Why is "Stage of suppuration" not the answer?

Suppuration shows a bulging drum with severe pain and fever.

Why is "Stage of resolution" not the answer?

Resolution follows suppuration with discharge or settling of signs.

Why is "Stage of complication" not the answer?

Complication stage has intracranial or mastoid signs, which are absent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: tubal occlusion stage of AOM in ENT. Symptoms are mild and fever is absent. Suppuration shows a bulging red drum, high fever and severe pain.

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 Ear and audiology: tubal occlusion stage of AOM?

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.