Rhinology: 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 · Rhinology

Sample item

A 22-year-old has recurrent sneezing, watery rhinorrhoea, nasal itching and pale boggy turbinates for six months, with no relief from antihistamines alone. Which drug class is the most effective single agent for the persistent symptoms?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intranasal corticosteroids

Intranasal corticosteroids are the most effective single drug class for allergic rhinitis, relieving sneezing, itching, discharge and obstruction. Topical decongestants should be limited to a few days because of rhinitis medicamentosa.

Option by option

  • A. Intranasal corticosteroids (correct)

    Correct. They suppress the allergic inflammatory response in the nasal mucosa.

  • B. Intranasal ipratropium bromide

    Ipratropium helps rhinorrhoea but not sneezing or obstruction.

  • C. Oral leukotriene receptor antagonists

    Leukotriene antagonists are less effective than nasal steroids and are an add-on option.

  • D. Topical nasal decongestants

    Decongestants relieve obstruction only, and prolonged use causes rebound congestion.

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, Intranasal corticosteroids. Intranasal corticosteroids are the most effective single drug class for allergic rhinitis, relieving sneezing, itching, discharge and obstruction.

Why is "Intranasal ipratropium bromide" not the answer?

Ipratropium helps rhinorrhoea but not sneezing or obstruction.

Why is "Oral leukotriene receptor antagonists" not the answer?

Leukotriene antagonists are less effective than nasal steroids and are an add-on option.

Why is "Topical nasal decongestants" not the answer?

Decongestants relieve obstruction only, and prolonged use causes rebound congestion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rhinology in ENT. Topical decongestants should be limited to a few days because of rhinitis medicamentosa.

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 Rhinology?

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.