Pharynx: infectious mononucleosis: 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 · Pharynx: infectious mononucleosis

Sample item

A teenager has fever, exudative tonsillitis, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. After amoxicillin, a generalised maculopapular rash develops. What is the likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Epstein-Barr virus infection

Infectious mononucleosis is caused by EBV and gives atypical lymphocytes and positive heterophile antibodies (monospot). Ampicillin or amoxicillin typically provokes a rash. Contact sports are avoided because of splenic rupture risk.

Option by option

  • A. Diphtheria

    Diphtheria gives a grey adherent membrane.

  • B. Vincent's angina

    Vincent's angina is a unilateral ulcerative infection.

  • C. Group A streptococcal tonsillitis

    Streptococcal tonsillitis does not cause marked splenomegaly.

  • D. Epstein-Barr virus infection (correct)

    Correct. A rash after amoxicillin is characteristic of EBV mononucleosis.

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.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Epstein-Barr virus infection. Infectious mononucleosis is caused by EBV and gives atypical lymphocytes and positive heterophile antibodies (monospot).

Why is "Diphtheria" not the answer?

Diphtheria gives a grey adherent membrane.

Why is "Vincent's angina" not the answer?

Vincent's angina is a unilateral ulcerative infection.

Why is "Group A streptococcal tonsillitis" not the answer?

Streptococcal tonsillitis does not cause marked splenomegaly.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx: infectious mononucleosis in ENT. Ampicillin or amoxicillin typically provokes a rash. Contact sports are avoided because of splenic rupture risk.

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: infectious mononucleosis?

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.