Nose: multiple magnet ingestion: 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 · Nose: multiple magnet ingestion

Sample item

A 4-year-old swallowed two small magnets a day ago and is now vomiting with abdominal pain. A radiograph shows two metallic densities apart from each other. Why is this urgent?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Magnets in separate bowel loops attract through the walls and cause pressure necrosis, perforation or fistula

A single magnet usually passes, but multiple magnets can attract across loops of bowel, trapping the wall and causing necrosis, perforation, fistula or volvulus. Magnets in the oesophagus or stomach need prompt endoscopic removal and those beyond reach need surgical review.

Option by option

  • A. They cause only dental problems

    The risk is gastrointestinal, not dental.

  • B. Magnets in separate bowel loops attract through the walls and cause pressure necrosis, perforation or fistula (correct)

    Correct. Attraction across bowel walls causes ischaemic injury.

  • C. They always pass spontaneously and need no review

    Several magnets are an emergency and cannot be left.

  • D. They dissolve in gastric acid

    Magnets do not dissolve.

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 B, Magnets in separate bowel loops attract through the walls and cause pressure necrosis, perforation or fistula. A single magnet usually passes, but multiple magnets can attract across loops of bowel, trapping the wall and causing necrosis, perforation, fistula or volvulus.

Why is "They cause only dental problems" not the answer?

The risk is gastrointestinal, not dental.

Why is "They always pass spontaneously and need no review" not the answer?

Several magnets are an emergency and cannot be left.

Why is "They dissolve in gastric acid" not the answer?

Magnets do not dissolve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose: multiple magnet ingestion in ENT. Magnets in the oesophagus or stomach need prompt endoscopic removal and those beyond reach need surgical review.

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: multiple magnet ingestion?

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.