Foreign bodies: 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 · Foreign bodies

Sample item

A 4-year-old has unilateral foul nasal discharge. Anterior rhinoscopy shows a smooth, shiny, round metallic disc in the nostril with surrounding mucosal necrosis. What is the right management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Urgent removal under visualisation, since it is a button battery

A button (disc) battery in the nose causes liquefactive necrosis within hours through an electrical current and leakage of alkali, with a risk of septal perforation and stenosis. It is an emergency, and removal should be prompt under direct vision, avoiding pushing it posteriorly.

Option by option

  • A. Nasal irrigation with saline for several days

    Irrigation can push the battery backwards and does not stop the caustic injury.

  • B. Wait for it to be expelled by sneezing

    Waiting allows serious tissue damage and is unsafe.

  • C. Urgent removal under visualisation, since it is a button battery (correct)

    Correct. Rapid necrosis makes this a surgical urgency.

  • D. Oral antibiotics and review after two weeks

    Antibiotics do not stop the corrosive injury, and delay is harmful.

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, Urgent removal under visualisation, since it is a button battery. A button (disc) battery in the nose causes liquefactive necrosis within hours through an electrical current and leakage of alkali, with a risk of septal perforation and stenosis.

Why is "Nasal irrigation with saline for several days" not the answer?

Irrigation can push the battery backwards and does not stop the caustic injury.

Why is "Wait for it to be expelled by sneezing" not the answer?

Waiting allows serious tissue damage and is unsafe.

Why is "Oral antibiotics and review after two weeks" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not stop the corrosive injury, and delay is harmful.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Foreign bodies in ENT. It is an emergency, and removal should be prompt under direct vision, avoiding pushing it posteriorly.

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 Foreign bodies?

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.