Respiratory medicine: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Respiratory medicine

Sample item

Which examination finding is most compatible with a pneumothorax on the affected side?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hyperresonant percussion with reduced breath sounds

Air in the pleural space reduces breath sounds and makes percussion hyperresonant; tension physiology may add severe respiratory distress, hypotension, and tracheal deviation requiring immediate decompression.

Option by option

  • A. Hyperresonant percussion with reduced breath sounds (correct)

    Correct: pleural air produces reduced sounds and hyperresonance.

  • B. Stony dullness with increased vocal resonance

    Stony dullness is more typical of a significant pleural effusion.

  • C. Fine basal crackles with normal percussion

    Basal crackles often reflect alveolar or interstitial fluid.

  • D. Inspiratory stridor over the neck

    Stridor localizes to the upper airway rather than the pleural space.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Hyperresonant percussion with reduced breath sounds. Air in the pleural space reduces breath sounds and makes percussion hyperresonant; tension physiology may add severe respiratory distress, hypotension, and tracheal deviation requiring immediate decompression.

Why is "Stony dullness with increased vocal resonance" not the answer?

Stony dullness is more typical of a significant pleural effusion.

Why is "Fine basal crackles with normal percussion" not the answer?

Basal crackles often reflect alveolar or interstitial fluid.

Why is "Inspiratory stridor over the neck" not the answer?

Stridor localizes to the upper airway rather than the pleural space.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: pleural air produces reduced sounds and hyperresonance.

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 Respiratory medicine?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.