Airway infection: epiglottitis: 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 · Airway infection: epiglottitis

Sample item

A febrile patient is drooling, sitting forward, has muffled voice, and inspiratory distress. What is the safest initial approach?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Keep the patient calm and arrange expert airway management without throat instrumentation

Suspected epiglottitis is an airway emergency. Manipulation of the pharynx can precipitate complete obstruction, so expert airway support should be mobilized while avoiding distress.

Option by option

  • A. Send the patient for routine outpatient review

    Outpatient delay is unsafe in possible airway compromise.

  • B. Keep the patient calm and arrange expert airway management without throat instrumentation (correct)

    Correct. Airway safety and minimizing agitation are paramount.

  • C. Force the patient to lie flat

    Supine positioning may worsen distress and airway obstruction.

  • D. Inspect the pharynx vigorously with a tongue depressor

    Direct examination can trigger sudden obstruction.

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.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Keep the patient calm and arrange expert airway management without throat instrumentation. Suspected epiglottitis is an airway emergency.

Why is "Send the patient for routine outpatient review" not the answer?

Outpatient delay is unsafe in possible airway compromise.

Why is "Force the patient to lie flat" not the answer?

Supine positioning may worsen distress and airway obstruction.

Why is "Inspect the pharynx vigorously with a tongue depressor" not the answer?

Direct examination can trigger sudden obstruction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway infection: epiglottitis in ENT. Manipulation of the pharynx can precipitate complete obstruction, so expert airway support should be mobilized while avoiding distress.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Airway infection: epiglottitis?

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.