Otology: acute otitis media: 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.

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ENT · Otology: acute otitis media

Sample item

A child has ear pain, fever, a bulging erythematous tympanic membrane, and reduced mobility on pneumatic otoscopy. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Acute otitis media

Acute otitis media is characterized by acute symptoms with middle-ear effusion and inflammation, often producing a bulging tympanic membrane. Management depends on age, severity, complications, and local guidance.

Option by option

  • A. Otitis media with effusion

    Effusion usually causes hearing symptoms without acute inflammatory pain and fever.

  • B. Cholesteatoma

    Cholesteatoma is chronic keratinizing disease with a different presentation.

  • C. Acute otitis media (correct)

    Correct. Bulging inflamed tympanic membrane with acute symptoms is typical.

  • D. Otitis externa

    Otitis externa causes canal tenderness and swelling.

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 C, Acute otitis media. Acute otitis media is characterized by acute symptoms with middle-ear effusion and inflammation, often producing a bulging tympanic membrane.

Why is "Otitis media with effusion" not the answer?

Effusion usually causes hearing symptoms without acute inflammatory pain and fever.

Why is "Cholesteatoma" not the answer?

Cholesteatoma is chronic keratinizing disease with a different presentation.

Why is "Otitis externa" not the answer?

Otitis externa causes canal tenderness and swelling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology: acute otitis media in ENT. Management depends on age, severity, complications, and local guidance.

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: acute otitis media?

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.