Respiratory: croup: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Respiratory: croup

Sample item

A toddler has a barking cough, hoarse voice, and inspiratory stridor that worsens at night. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Croup

Croup is viral laryngotracheobronchitis causing barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor. Severity assessment focuses on stridor at rest, work of breathing, and fatigue.

Option by option

  • A. Epiglottitis

    Epiglottitis presents with toxic appearance, drooling, and severe sore throat rather than a typical bark.

  • B. Croup (correct)

    Correct. The barking cough and nocturnal stridor are characteristic.

  • C. Bronchiolitis

    Bronchiolitis affects the lower airways and causes wheeze or crackles.

  • D. Asthma

    Asthma usually causes expiratory wheeze, not barky cough and stridor.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Croup. Croup is viral laryngotracheobronchitis causing barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor.

Why is "Epiglottitis" not the answer?

Epiglottitis presents with toxic appearance, drooling, and severe sore throat rather than a typical bark.

Why is "Bronchiolitis" not the answer?

Bronchiolitis affects the lower airways and causes wheeze or crackles.

Why is "Asthma" not the answer?

Asthma usually causes expiratory wheeze, not barky cough and stridor.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory: croup in Pediatrics. Severity assessment focuses on stridor at rest, work of breathing, and fatigue.

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: croup?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.