Sleep-disordered breathing: 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 · Sleep-disordered breathing

Sample item

A bed partner reports very loud nightly snoring in a 45-year-old man. Which assessment objectively grades the severity of his sleep-related upper airway obstruction?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Overnight polysomnography reporting the apnoea-hypopnoea index

Severity is defined by the number of apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour measured during a sleep study. Snoring loudness and sleepiness scores do not correlate reliably with obstruction severity.

Option by option

  • A. Overnight polysomnography reporting the apnoea-hypopnoea index (correct)

    Correct. The apnoea-hypopnoea index quantifies obstruction events.

  • B. A single Epworth sleepiness score

    The Epworth score is a subjective screening tool.

  • C. Lateral soft-tissue neck radiograph

    A radiograph shows static anatomy rather than events during sleep.

  • D. Loudness of snoring reported by the partner

    Loudness is subjective and does not grade severity.

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 A, Overnight polysomnography reporting the apnoea-hypopnoea index. Severity is defined by the number of apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour measured during a sleep study.

Why is "A single Epworth sleepiness score" not the answer?

The Epworth score is a subjective screening tool.

Why is "Lateral soft-tissue neck radiograph" not the answer?

A radiograph shows static anatomy rather than events during sleep.

Why is "Loudness of snoring reported by the partner" not the answer?

Loudness is subjective and does not grade severity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sleep-disordered breathing in ENT. Snoring loudness and sleepiness scores do not correlate reliably with obstruction severity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Sleep-disordered breathing?

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.