Nose and paranasal sinuses: skin prick test: 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: skin prick test

Sample item

Which test is the first-line method to identify the offending allergen in a patient with perennial allergic rhinitis, and what must be done before it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Skin prick test, stopping antihistamines for several days beforehand

Skin prick testing gives rapid in vivo evidence of IgE sensitisation to specific allergens. Antihistamines suppress the wheal and must be stopped about 3 to 7 days earlier. Specific serum IgE is an alternative when skin testing is not possible.

Option by option

  • A. Skin prick test, stopping antihistamines for several days beforehand (correct)

    Correct. Prick testing with antihistamines withheld.

  • B. Nasal biopsy, stopping anticoagulants

    Biopsy is not used for allergen identification.

  • C. Patch test, stopping steroids

    Patch testing assesses delayed contact allergy.

  • D. Serum creatinine, fasting

    Serum creatinine does not identify allergens.

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 A, Skin prick test, stopping antihistamines for several days beforehand. Skin prick testing gives rapid in vivo evidence of IgE sensitisation to specific allergens.

Why is "Nasal biopsy, stopping anticoagulants" not the answer?

Biopsy is not used for allergen identification.

Why is "Patch test, stopping steroids" not the answer?

Patch testing assesses delayed contact allergy.

Why is "Serum creatinine, fasting" not the answer?

Serum creatinine does not identify allergens.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: skin prick test in ENT. Antihistamines suppress the wheal and must be stopped about 3 to 7 days earlier. Specific serum IgE is an alternative when skin testing is not possible.

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: skin prick test?

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.