Infections: epiglottitis: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Infections: epiglottitis

Sample item

A toxic-looking unimmunised 4-year-old sits leaning forward, drooling, with muffled voice and stridor. A lateral neck X-ray shows a thumb sign. What is the priority?

AStart nebulised steroids and dischargeBSecure the airway in a controlled setting and give ceftriaxoneCSend for outpatient X-ray aloneDExamine the throat with a tongue depressor

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Secure the airway in a controlled setting and give ceftriaxone

Acute epiglottitis from Haemophilus influenzae type b is an airway emergency. The airway is secured by an experienced team, and intravenous ceftriaxone is given. Throat examination can trigger complete obstruction and is avoided.

Option by option

A. Start nebulised steroids and discharge
Epiglottitis needs inpatient airway care.
B. Secure the airway in a controlled setting and give ceftriaxone (correct)
Correct. Airway control and antibiotics come first.
C. Send for outpatient X-ray alone
Delaying care risks airway loss.
D. Examine the throat with a tongue depressor
Throat examination can precipitate obstruction.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Secure the airway in a controlled setting and give ceftriaxone. Acute epiglottitis from Haemophilus influenzae type b is an airway emergency.

Why is "Start nebulised steroids and discharge" not the answer?

Epiglottitis needs inpatient airway care.

Why is "Send for outpatient X-ray alone" not the answer?

Delaying care risks airway loss.

Why is "Examine the throat with a tongue depressor" not the answer?

Throat examination can precipitate obstruction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: epiglottitis in Pediatrics. The airway is secured by an experienced team, and intravenous ceftriaxone is given. Throat examination can trigger complete obstruction and is avoided.

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 Infections: epiglottitis?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.