Head and neck: nodal staging: 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 · Head and neck: nodal staging

Sample item

A patient with oral cancer has a single ipsilateral lymph node of 2.5 cm without extranodal extension. What is the N category?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. N1

N1 is a single ipsilateral node of 3 cm or less without extranodal extension. N2 includes a single node larger than 3 cm up to 6 cm, multiple ipsilateral nodes or bilateral nodes, and N3 is larger than 6 cm or with clinical extranodal extension.

Option by option

  • A. N0

    N0 means no regional node metastasis.

  • B. N3

    N3 is a node larger than 6 cm.

  • C. N1 (correct)

    Correct. A single ipsilateral node of 3 cm or less is N1.

  • D. N2a

    N2a is a single node larger than 3 cm and up to 6 cm.

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 C, N1. N1 is a single ipsilateral node of 3 cm or less without extranodal extension.

Why is "N0" not the answer?

N0 means no regional node metastasis.

Why is "N3" not the answer?

N3 is a node larger than 6 cm.

Why is "N2a" not the answer?

N2a is a single node larger than 3 cm and up to 6 cm.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck: nodal staging in ENT. N2 includes a single node larger than 3 cm up to 6 cm, multiple ipsilateral nodes or bilateral nodes, and N3 is larger than 6 cm or with clinical extranodal extension.

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 Head and neck: nodal staging?

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.