Otology: otitis externa: 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 · Otology: otitis externa

Sample item

A swimmer has severe ear pain, tragal tenderness, and a swollen external auditory canal with discharge. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Acute otitis externa

Otitis externa is inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal and is strongly suggested by pain on tragal movement. Canal cleaning and topical treatment are commonly used when appropriate.

Option by option

  • A. Mastoiditis

    Mastoiditis causes postauricular swelling and systemic concern.

  • B. Acute otitis externa (correct)

    Correct. Tragal tenderness and canal inflammation are classic.

  • C. Acute otitis media

    Middle-ear infection does not usually cause marked tragal tenderness.

  • D. Otosclerosis

    Otosclerosis causes progressive conductive hearing loss without an inflamed canal.

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, Acute otitis externa. Otitis externa is inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal and is strongly suggested by pain on tragal movement.

Why is "Mastoiditis" not the answer?

Mastoiditis causes postauricular swelling and systemic concern.

Why is "Acute otitis media" not the answer?

Middle-ear infection does not usually cause marked tragal tenderness.

Why is "Otosclerosis" not the answer?

Otosclerosis causes progressive conductive hearing loss without an inflamed canal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology: otitis externa in ENT. Canal cleaning and topical treatment are commonly used when appropriate.

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 Otology: otitis externa?

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.