Vertigo: peripheral nystagmus: 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 · Vertigo: peripheral nystagmus

Sample item

Which of the following is a feature of nystagmus in an acute peripheral vestibular lesion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. It increases on looking in the direction of the fast phase (Alexander's law)

Peripheral spontaneous nystagmus is unidirectional, horizontal-rotatory and follows Alexander's law, increasing when gaze is toward the fast phase. Fixation suppresses it, which is why Frenzel glasses are used to reveal it.

Option by option

  • A. It increases on looking in the direction of the fast phase (Alexander's law) (correct)

    Correct. Alexander's law applies to peripheral nystagmus.

  • B. It is not affected by gaze direction

    Peripheral nystagmus varies with gaze direction.

  • C. It is enhanced by visual fixation

    Visual fixation suppresses it.

  • D. It is purely vertical

    Pure vertical nystagmus suggests a central lesion.

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, It increases on looking in the direction of the fast phase (Alexander's law). Peripheral spontaneous nystagmus is unidirectional, horizontal-rotatory and follows Alexander's law, increasing when gaze is toward the fast phase.

Why is "It is not affected by gaze direction" not the answer?

Peripheral nystagmus varies with gaze direction.

Why is "It is enhanced by visual fixation" not the answer?

Visual fixation suppresses it.

Why is "It is purely vertical" not the answer?

Pure vertical nystagmus suggests a central lesion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vertigo: peripheral nystagmus in ENT. Fixation suppresses it, which is why Frenzel glasses are used to reveal it.

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 Vertigo: peripheral nystagmus?

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.