Pharynx: diphtheria: 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: diphtheria

Sample item

An unimmunised child has a grey adherent membrane on the tonsils that bleeds on removal, with a bull neck. What is the next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Give diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics without waiting for culture

Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and the toxin causes myocarditis and neuropathy. Antitoxin should be given early on clinical suspicion, with penicillin or erythromycin. The airway is monitored.

Option by option

  • A. Wait for culture results

    Waiting for culture delays life-saving antitoxin.

  • B. Give steroids alone

    Steroids do not neutralise the toxin.

  • C. Give diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics without waiting for culture (correct)

    Correct. Early antitoxin and antibiotics are required.

  • D. Remove the membrane surgically

    Forcible removal of the membrane worsens toxin absorption and bleeding.

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 C, Give diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics without waiting for culture. Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and the toxin causes myocarditis and neuropathy.

Why is "Wait for culture results" not the answer?

Waiting for culture delays life-saving antitoxin.

Why is "Give steroids alone" not the answer?

Steroids do not neutralise the toxin.

Why is "Remove the membrane surgically" not the answer?

Forcible removal of the membrane worsens toxin absorption and bleeding.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx: diphtheria in ENT. Antitoxin should be given early on clinical suspicion, with penicillin or erythromycin. The airway is monitored.

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: diphtheria?

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.