Otology: 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 · Otology

Sample item

What finding commonly indicates otitis externa?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pain on tragal movement

Inflammation of the external auditory canal makes traction on the tragus or pinna painful, a useful distinction from middle-ear disease.

Option by option

  • A. Painless progressive deafness

    Progressive painless loss has a different differential.

  • B. Pain on tragal movement (correct)

    Correct: tragal tenderness is typical of external canal inflammation.

  • C. Hemoptysis

    Hemoptysis is respiratory bleeding.

  • D. Diplopia

    Diplopia is an ocular-motility symptom.

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, Pain on tragal movement. Inflammation of the external auditory canal makes traction on the tragus or pinna painful, a useful distinction from middle-ear disease.

Why is "Painless progressive deafness" not the answer?

Progressive painless loss has a different differential.

Why is "Hemoptysis" not the answer?

Hemoptysis is respiratory bleeding.

Why is "Diplopia" not the answer?

Diplopia is an ocular-motility symptom.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: tragal tenderness is typical of external canal inflammation.

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 Otology?

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.