Nose and paranasal sinuses: antibiotics in acute rhinosinusitis: 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.

Try it

ENT · Nose and paranasal sinuses: antibiotics in acute rhinosinusitis

Sample item

A 30-year-old has nasal congestion and facial pain for 3 days after a cold, with a mild fever. What is the best approach?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Symptomatic care with saline, analgesics and topical steroid, as most cases are viral

Most acute rhinosinusitis is viral and resolves within 10 days. Antibiotics are considered if symptoms persist beyond 10 days or worsen after initial improvement (double worsening), or if severe features are present. Imaging is not needed in uncomplicated cases.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics

    Antibiotics are not indicated at day 3 without severe features.

  • B. Symptomatic care with saline, analgesics and topical steroid, as most cases are viral (correct)

    Correct. Supportive care is first-line for early illness.

  • C. Caldwell-Luc procedure

    Caldwell-Luc is not indicated in acute sinusitis.

  • D. Urgent FESS

    Surgery is for chronic or complicated disease.

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 B, Symptomatic care with saline, analgesics and topical steroid, as most cases are viral. Most acute rhinosinusitis is viral and resolves within 10 days.

Why is "Immediate broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics are not indicated at day 3 without severe features.

Why is "Caldwell-Luc procedure" not the answer?

Caldwell-Luc is not indicated in acute sinusitis.

Why is "Urgent FESS" not the answer?

Surgery is for chronic or complicated disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: antibiotics in acute rhinosinusitis in ENT. Antibiotics are considered if symptoms persist beyond 10 days or worsen after initial improvement (double worsening), or if severe features are present. Imaging is not needed in uncomplicated cases.

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: antibiotics in acute rhinosinusitis?

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.