Airway: cricothyrotomy in children: 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 · Airway: cricothyrotomy in children

Sample item

Why is surgical cricothyrotomy avoided in young children?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Small cricothyroid membrane with risk of subglottic stenosis

In infants and young children the cricothyroid membrane is tiny and injury to the cricoid, the narrowest point, risks subglottic stenosis. Needle cricothyrotomy with jet ventilation is preferred as a temporary measure.

Option by option

  • A. Absence of the larynx

    The larynx is present in children.

  • B. Larger membrane that bleeds more

    The membrane is smaller, not larger.

  • C. Small cricothyroid membrane with risk of subglottic stenosis (correct)

    Correct. The small membrane and stenosis risk make it unsuitable.

  • D. Lack of a trachea

    The trachea is present.

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, Small cricothyroid membrane with risk of subglottic stenosis. In infants and young children the cricothyroid membrane is tiny and injury to the cricoid, the narrowest point, risks subglottic stenosis.

Why is "Absence of the larynx" not the answer?

The larynx is present in children.

Why is "Larger membrane that bleeds more" not the answer?

The membrane is smaller, not larger.

Why is "Lack of a trachea" not the answer?

The trachea is present.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway: cricothyrotomy in children in ENT. Needle cricothyrotomy with jet ventilation is preferred as a temporary measure.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Airway: cricothyrotomy in children?

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.