Pharynx and tonsils: adenotonsillectomy in a young child with OSA: 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 · Pharynx and tonsils: adenotonsillectomy in a young child with OSA

Sample item

A 2-year-old with severe obstructive sleep apnoea is scheduled for adenotonsillectomy. Why is overnight postoperative observation advised?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Higher risk of respiratory complications in young children with severe apnoea

Children under three years with severe apnoea have a higher risk of postoperative airway compromise and desaturation from oedema and opioid sensitivity. They should be observed with monitoring overnight.

Option by option

  • A. Risk of delayed wound healing in the skin

    No skin wound is made in this operation.

  • B. Risk of hypocalcaemia

    Hypocalcaemia is a thyroid or parathyroid surgery concern.

  • C. Risk of hearing loss

    Hearing loss is not a recognised risk of the operation.

  • D. Higher risk of respiratory complications in young children with severe apnoea (correct)

    Correct. Young children with severe apnoea have a high risk of postoperative airway complications.

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 D, Higher risk of respiratory complications in young children with severe apnoea. Children under three years with severe apnoea have a higher risk of postoperative airway compromise and desaturation from oedema and opioid sensitivity.

Why is "Risk of delayed wound healing in the skin" not the answer?

No skin wound is made in this operation.

Why is "Risk of hypocalcaemia" not the answer?

Hypocalcaemia is a thyroid or parathyroid surgery concern.

Why is "Risk of hearing loss" not the answer?

Hearing loss is not a recognised risk of the operation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: adenotonsillectomy in a young child with OSA in ENT. They should be observed with monitoring overnight.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: adenotonsillectomy in a young child with OSA?

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.