Otology: 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

Sample item

Which feature distinguishes otitis externa from acute otitis media?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pain on tragal movement

Otitis externa inflames the canal, so movement of tragus or pinna is painful, unlike middle-ear infection where otoscopy shows tympanic changes.

Option by option

  • A. Conductive loss from ossicular fixation

    Ossicular fixation suggests otosclerosis.

  • B. Middle-ear effusion

    Effusion is middle-ear disease.

  • C. Pain on tragal movement (correct)

    Correct: canal manipulation causes external-ear pain.

  • D. Bulging tympanic membrane

    Bulging drum suggests otitis media.

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 C, Pain on tragal movement. Otitis externa inflames the canal, so movement of tragus or pinna is painful, unlike middle-ear infection where otoscopy shows tympanic changes.

Why is "Conductive loss from ossicular fixation" not the answer?

Ossicular fixation suggests otosclerosis.

Why is "Middle-ear effusion" not the answer?

Effusion is middle-ear disease.

Why is "Bulging tympanic membrane" not the answer?

Bulging drum suggests otitis media.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Otology in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: canal manipulation causes external-ear pain.

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?

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.