Nose and paranasal sinuses: timing of nasal fracture reduction: 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 · Nose and paranasal sinuses: timing of nasal fracture reduction

Sample item

An adult has a displaced nasal bone fracture after a fall. Swelling is marked on day one. When is closed reduction usually best performed?

AImmediately in the emergency room regardless of swellingBAfter a few days once swelling has settled, within about a week or twoCAfter six monthsDNever, as nasal bones always heal straight

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. After a few days once swelling has settled, within about a week or two

Marked oedema hides the true shape of the nose, so reduction is delayed until swelling subsides, usually within five to ten days, and before bone fixation. Septal haematoma must be excluded at the first examination.

Option by option

A. Immediately in the emergency room regardless of swelling
Immediate reduction is hindered by oedema and judging alignment is difficult.
B. After a few days once swelling has settled, within about a week or two (correct)
Correct. Reduction is delayed until swelling settles and done before the fracture sets.
C. After six months
Waiting six months leaves a healed malunion needing formal rhinoplasty.
D. Never, as nasal bones always heal straight
Displaced nasal bones do not reliably heal straight.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, After a few days once swelling has settled, within about a week or two. Marked oedema hides the true shape of the nose, so reduction is delayed until swelling subsides, usually within five to ten days, and before bone fixation.

Why is "Immediately in the emergency room regardless of swelling" not the answer?

Immediate reduction is hindered by oedema and judging alignment is difficult.

Why is "After six months" not the answer?

Waiting six months leaves a healed malunion needing formal rhinoplasty.

Why is "Never, as nasal bones always heal straight" not the answer?

Displaced nasal bones do not reliably heal straight.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: timing of nasal fracture reduction in ENT. Septal haematoma must be excluded at the first examination.

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 Nose and paranasal sinuses: timing of nasal fracture reduction?

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.