Pharynx: post-tonsillectomy bleeding: 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 · Pharynx: post-tonsillectomy bleeding

Sample item

A child has bleeding from the tonsillar fossa seven days after tonsillectomy. What is the most likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Secondary haemorrhage due to infection

Reactionary haemorrhage occurs within 24 hours as blood pressure recovers. Secondary haemorrhage occurs at 5 to 10 days from infection and sloughing of the membrane, and is treated with antibiotics and sometimes return to theatre.

Option by option

  • A. Slipped ligature

    A slipped ligature causes early bleeding.

  • B. Coagulopathy only

    Coagulopathy usually causes earlier or persistent bleeding.

  • C. Secondary haemorrhage due to infection (correct)

    Correct. Secondary haemorrhage at day 7 is usually infective.

  • D. Reactionary bleeding from rebound vasodilatation

    Rebound vasodilatation causes reactionary haemorrhage within 24 hours.

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, Secondary haemorrhage due to infection. Reactionary haemorrhage occurs within 24 hours as blood pressure recovers.

Why is "Slipped ligature" not the answer?

A slipped ligature causes early bleeding.

Why is "Coagulopathy only" not the answer?

Coagulopathy usually causes earlier or persistent bleeding.

Why is "Reactionary bleeding from rebound vasodilatation" not the answer?

Rebound vasodilatation causes reactionary haemorrhage within 24 hours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx: post-tonsillectomy bleeding in ENT. Secondary haemorrhage occurs at 5 to 10 days from infection and sloughing of the membrane, and is treated with antibiotics and sometimes return to theatre.

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 Pharynx: post-tonsillectomy bleeding?

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.