Pharynx and tonsils: growth failure with adenotonsillar hypertrophy: 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.

Try it

ENT · Pharynx and tonsils: growth failure with adenotonsillar hypertrophy

Sample item

A 4-year-old with loud snoring, witnessed apnoeas and large kissing tonsils has fallen from the 50th to the 10th weight centile. What outcome is most likely after adenotonsillectomy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Catch-up growth and weight gain

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing in children is linked to poor growth, probably through disturbed sleep, reduced growth hormone secretion and increased work of breathing. Adenotonsillectomy commonly leads to catch-up growth.

Option by option

  • A. Loss of immunity to common infections

    Immunity is not meaningfully lost because other lymphoid tissue remains.

  • B. Persistent poor growth despite surgery

    Growth failure from obstruction usually reverses after surgery.

  • C. Catch-up growth and weight gain (correct)

    Correct. Relief of obstruction is typically followed by improved growth and weight.

  • D. Permanent change in voice resonance

    Adenotonsillectomy does not alter resonance in a child with normal palatal function.

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, Catch-up growth and weight gain. Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing in children is linked to poor growth, probably through disturbed sleep, reduced growth hormone secretion and increased work of breathing.

Why is "Loss of immunity to common infections" not the answer?

Immunity is not meaningfully lost because other lymphoid tissue remains.

Why is "Persistent poor growth despite surgery" not the answer?

Growth failure from obstruction usually reverses after surgery.

Why is "Permanent change in voice resonance" not the answer?

Adenotonsillectomy does not alter resonance in a child with normal palatal function.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: growth failure with adenotonsillar hypertrophy in ENT. Adenotonsillectomy commonly leads to catch-up growth.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: growth failure with adenotonsillar hypertrophy?

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.