Ear and audiology: vaccination before cochlear implant: 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: vaccination before cochlear implant

Sample item

Before cochlear implantation in a 2-year-old child, which preventive step is recommended?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination

Cochlear implants carry a small increased risk of bacterial meningitis, mostly pneumococcal, because the implant provides a pathway from the middle ear to the inner ear. Vaccination against pneumococcus and Haemophilus is recommended before surgery.

Option by option

  • A. Prophylactic grommets in both ears

    Grommets are not a preventive step.

  • B. Tonsillectomy

    Tonsillectomy is not part of the protocol.

  • C. Long-term steroids

    Steroids do not protect against meningitis.

  • D. Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination (correct)

    Correct. Vaccination lowers the risk of postimplant meningitis.

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, Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination. Cochlear implants carry a small increased risk of bacterial meningitis, mostly pneumococcal, because the implant provides a pathway from the middle ear to the inner ear.

Why is "Prophylactic grommets in both ears" not the answer?

Grommets are not a preventive step.

Why is "Tonsillectomy" not the answer?

Tonsillectomy is not part of the protocol.

Why is "Long-term steroids" not the answer?

Steroids do not protect against meningitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: vaccination before cochlear implant in ENT. Vaccination against pneumococcus and Haemophilus is recommended before surgery.

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: vaccination before cochlear implant?

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.