Ear and audiology: audiometric pattern of cisplatin ototoxicity: 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 · Ear and audiology: audiometric pattern of cisplatin ototoxicity

Sample item

A child receiving cisplatin chemotherapy develops bilateral tinnitus and difficulty hearing. Which audiometric pattern is expected?

ABilateral conductive loss with a wide air-bone gapBFluctuating low-frequency sensorineural loss with episodic vertigoCUnilateral low-frequency conductive loss that recovers on stopping the drugDBilateral high-frequency sensorineural loss that is dose-related and often permanent

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Bilateral high-frequency sensorineural loss that is dose-related and often permanent

Cisplatin damages outer hair cells in the basal turn, so the loss is bilateral, symmetrical, begins in the high frequencies and is dose-related. It is usually irreversible and children are especially vulnerable, so serial audiometry including high frequencies is used during therapy.

Option by option

A. Bilateral conductive loss with a wide air-bone gap
An air-bone gap indicates a middle ear problem, which cisplatin does not produce.
B. Fluctuating low-frequency sensorineural loss with episodic vertigo
Fluctuating low-frequency loss with vertigo describes Meniere disease, not cisplatin.
C. Unilateral low-frequency conductive loss that recovers on stopping the drug
Cisplatin does not cause a unilateral conductive loss, and its effect is generally not reversible.
D. Bilateral high-frequency sensorineural loss that is dose-related and often permanent (correct)
Correct. Basal turn outer hair cell injury gives a bilateral, dose-related high-frequency sensorineural loss.

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.

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Bilateral high-frequency sensorineural loss that is dose-related and often permanent. Cisplatin damages outer hair cells in the basal turn, so the loss is bilateral, symmetrical, begins in the high frequencies and is dose-related.

Why is "Bilateral conductive loss with a wide air-bone gap" not the answer?

An air-bone gap indicates a middle ear problem, which cisplatin does not produce.

Why is "Fluctuating low-frequency sensorineural loss with episodic vertigo" not the answer?

Fluctuating low-frequency loss with vertigo describes Meniere disease, not cisplatin.

Why is "Unilateral low-frequency conductive loss that recovers on stopping th…" not the answer?

Cisplatin does not cause a unilateral conductive loss, and its effect is generally not reversible.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: audiometric pattern of cisplatin ototoxicity in ENT. It is usually irreversible and children are especially vulnerable, so serial audiometry including high frequencies is used during therapy.

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 Ear and audiology: audiometric pattern of cisplatin ototoxicity?

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.