Airway: inhaled foreign body imaging: 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 · Airway: inhaled foreign body imaging

Sample item

A 2-year-old has sudden cough and wheeze after eating nuts, with reduced air entry on the right. An inspiratory chest film is normal. What additional imaging finding is expected in a ball-valve obstruction of the right bronchus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hyperinflation of the right lung with air trapping on an expiratory film

A ball-valve foreign body allows air in on inspiration but traps it on expiration, so the affected lung stays hyperinflated and the mediastinum shifts to the opposite side on expiratory films. The foreign body is removed by rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia.

Option by option

  • A. Bilateral pleural effusions

    Effusion is not a feature.

  • B. Collapse of the right lung on inspiration only

    Complete obstruction causes collapse, and this is a partial ball-valve effect.

  • C. Hyperinflation of the right lung with air trapping on an expiratory film (correct)

    Correct. Air trapping is the typical radiographic sign of partial obstruction.

  • D. Cardiomegaly

    The heart size is not affected.

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 C, Hyperinflation of the right lung with air trapping on an expiratory film. A ball-valve foreign body allows air in on inspiration but traps it on expiration, so the affected lung stays hyperinflated and the mediastinum shifts to the opposite side on expiratory films.

Why is "Bilateral pleural effusions" not the answer?

Effusion is not a feature.

Why is "Collapse of the right lung on inspiration only" not the answer?

Complete obstruction causes collapse, and this is a partial ball-valve effect.

Why is "Cardiomegaly" not the answer?

The heart size is not affected.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway: inhaled foreign body imaging in ENT. The foreign body is removed by rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia.

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 Airway: inhaled foreign body imaging?

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.