Neck: Ludwig's angina: 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 · Neck: Ludwig's angina

Sample item

A man with a decayed lower molar has a rapidly spreading brawny swelling of the floor of the mouth and submandibular region, with a raised tongue and difficulty breathing. What is the priority?

ACT scan before any interventionBSecure the airwayCOral antibiotics and dischargeDSteroid injection alone

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Secure the airway

Ludwig's angina is a bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular, sublingual and submental spaces, usually from lower molar infection. Airway obstruction from tongue elevation is the main danger. After airway control, give IV antibiotics and drain collections.

Option by option

A. CT scan before any intervention
Imaging can delay urgent airway management.
B. Secure the airway (correct)
Correct. Airway protection takes priority.
C. Oral antibiotics and discharge
Oral antibiotics are inadequate and unsafe.
D. Steroid injection alone
Steroids alone do not secure the airway.

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 B, Secure the airway. Ludwig's angina is a bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular, sublingual and submental spaces, usually from lower molar infection.

Why is "CT scan before any intervention" not the answer?

Imaging can delay urgent airway management.

Why is "Oral antibiotics and discharge" not the answer?

Oral antibiotics are inadequate and unsafe.

Why is "Steroid injection alone" not the answer?

Steroids alone do not secure the airway.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neck: Ludwig's angina in ENT. Airway obstruction from tongue elevation is the main danger. After airway control, give IV antibiotics and drain collections.

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 Neck: Ludwig's angina?

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.