Nose: posterior balloon tamponade: 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 · Nose: posterior balloon tamponade

Sample item

An elderly man has torrential epistaxis not controlled by an anterior pack. Posterior bleeding is suspected. Which immediate measure is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Posterior balloon catheter or Foley catheter tamponade with an anterior pack, and admit for monitoring

A bleed from the posterior nasal cavity behind the middle turbinate does not respond to anterior packing. A balloon catheter inflated in the postnasal space with an anterior pack compresses the sphenopalatine territory. The patient needs admission, oxygen monitoring and analgesia, and endoscopic sphenopalatine ligation if bleeding continues.

Option by option

  • A. Repeat anterior packing only

    Anterior packing alone cannot reach a posterior source.

  • B. Discharge with tranexamic acid tablets

    Tablets and discharge are unsafe in torrential posterior bleeding.

  • C. Posterior balloon catheter or Foley catheter tamponade with an anterior pack, and admit for monitoring (correct)

    Correct. Posterior tamponade controls posterior bleeding and needs inpatient care.

  • D. Cautery of Little's area

    Little's area is anterior and cautery is for anterior bleeds.

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 C, Posterior balloon catheter or Foley catheter tamponade with an anterior pack, and admit for monitoring. A bleed from the posterior nasal cavity behind the middle turbinate does not respond to anterior packing.

Why is "Repeat anterior packing only" not the answer?

Anterior packing alone cannot reach a posterior source.

Why is "Discharge with tranexamic acid tablets" not the answer?

Tablets and discharge are unsafe in torrential posterior bleeding.

Why is "Cautery of Little's area" not the answer?

Little's area is anterior and cautery is for anterior bleeds.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose: posterior balloon tamponade in ENT. A balloon catheter inflated in the postnasal space with an anterior pack compresses the sphenopalatine territory. The patient needs admission, oxygen monitoring and analgesia, and endoscopic sphenopalatine ligation if bleeding continues.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Nose: posterior balloon tamponade?

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.