Ear and audiology: classification of nerve injury: 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 · Ear and audiology: classification of nerve injury

Sample item

After blunt trauma, a man has temporary facial weakness. Electrical stimulation distal to the injury elicits a normal response, and recovery is complete within a few weeks. Which class of nerve injury (Seddon) is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Neurapraxia

Neurapraxia is a transient conduction block with an intact axon and sheath, so there is no Wallerian degeneration and distal stimulation remains normal, with full recovery in days to weeks. Axonotmesis divides the axon and recovers slowly, and neurotmesis divides the whole nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Neurotmesis

    Neurotmesis is a complete division of the nerve with no spontaneous recovery.

  • B. Neurapraxia (correct)

    Correct. A conduction block with intact axons has a normal distal response and recovers fully.

  • C. Axonotmesis

    Axonotmesis divides axons with Wallerian degeneration, so distal stimulation fails after a few days.

  • D. Wallerian degeneration of the whole nerve

    Wallerian degeneration is a consequence of axonal division and would abolish the distal response.

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 B, Neurapraxia. Neurapraxia is a transient conduction block with an intact axon and sheath, so there is no Wallerian degeneration and distal stimulation remains normal, with full recovery in days to weeks.

Why is "Neurotmesis" not the answer?

Neurotmesis is a complete division of the nerve with no spontaneous recovery.

Why is "Axonotmesis" not the answer?

Axonotmesis divides axons with Wallerian degeneration, so distal stimulation fails after a few days.

Why is "Wallerian degeneration of the whole nerve" not the answer?

Wallerian degeneration is a consequence of axonal division and would abolish the distal response.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: classification of nerve injury in ENT. Axonotmesis divides the axon and recovers slowly, and neurotmesis divides the whole nerve.

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 Ear and audiology: classification of nerve injury?

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.