Pharynx: infectious mononucleosis advice: 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 · Pharynx: infectious mononucleosis advice

Sample item

A 17-year-old rugby player with exudative tonsillitis, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy and a positive heterophile antibody test is diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis. What activity advice is important?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Avoid contact sports for several weeks because of the risk of splenic rupture

Infectious mononucleosis from Epstein-Barr virus causes splenic enlargement, so contact sports are avoided for about 3 to 4 weeks. Amoxicillin and ampicillin cause a maculopapular rash and are avoided. Tonsillectomy is reserved for airway obstruction.

Option by option

  • A. Undergo urgent tonsillectomy

    Surgery is only for severe airway obstruction.

  • B. Start amoxicillin to prevent bacterial superinfection

    Aminopenicillins provoke a characteristic rash and are not needed for a viral illness.

  • C. Return to contact sport at once

    Early return to contact sport risks splenic injury.

  • D. Avoid contact sports for several weeks because of the risk of splenic rupture (correct)

    Correct. Splenic rupture is a recognised and dangerous complication.

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 D, Avoid contact sports for several weeks because of the risk of splenic rupture. Infectious mononucleosis from Epstein-Barr virus causes splenic enlargement, so contact sports are avoided for about 3 to 4 weeks.

Why is "Undergo urgent tonsillectomy" not the answer?

Surgery is only for severe airway obstruction.

Why is "Start amoxicillin to prevent bacterial superinfection" not the answer?

Aminopenicillins provoke a characteristic rash and are not needed for a viral illness.

Why is "Return to contact sport at once" not the answer?

Early return to contact sport risks splenic injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx: infectious mononucleosis advice in ENT. Amoxicillin and ampicillin cause a maculopapular rash and are avoided. Tonsillectomy is reserved for airway 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 Pharynx: infectious mononucleosis advice?

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.