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

Which complication should be suspected when a patient with recent otitis media develops postauricular swelling and protrusion of the pinna?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis can occur when infection spreads into mastoid air cells, producing postauricular pain, erythema, swelling, and displacement of the auricle; urgent specialist assessment is required.

Option by option

  • A. Mastoiditis (correct)

    Correct: postauricular inflammation with pinna displacement suggests mastoiditis.

  • B. Vocal-cord nodules

    Vocal nodules cause voice symptoms rather than mastoid inflammation.

  • C. Benign positional vertigo

    BPPV causes brief positional vertigo without mastoid swelling.

  • D. Allergic rhinitis

    Allergic rhinitis affects the nose and does not displace the pinna.

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 A, Mastoiditis. Mastoiditis can occur when infection spreads into mastoid air cells, producing postauricular pain, erythema, swelling, and displacement of the auricle; urgent specialist assessment is required.

Why is "Vocal-cord nodules" not the answer?

Vocal nodules cause voice symptoms rather than mastoid inflammation.

Why is "Benign positional vertigo" not the answer?

BPPV causes brief positional vertigo without mastoid swelling.

Why is "Allergic rhinitis" not the answer?

Allergic rhinitis affects the nose and does not displace the pinna.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: postauricular inflammation with pinna displacement suggests mastoiditis.

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.