Imaging: choice of modality: practice question

A Radiology 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

Radiology · Imaging: choice of modality

Sample item

A child with suspected foreign body inhalation has a stable airway and a chest radiograph is requested. To demonstrate air trapping on the side of an obstructing foreign body, which additional view helps?

AExpiratory film or lateral decubitus viewBProne abdominal viewCSkull viewDOblique view of the spine

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Expiratory film or lateral decubitus view

A bronchial foreign body causes a ball-valve effect, so the affected lung stays hyperinflated on expiration and the mediastinum shifts away. Expiratory or decubitus films show failure of the affected lung to deflate, which is sometimes the only abnormality. Bronchoscopy is the definitive investigation.

Option by option

A. Expiratory film or lateral decubitus view (correct)
Correct. Expiratory or decubitus views show air trapping.
B. Prone abdominal view
A prone abdominal film is not relevant to the airway.
C. Skull view
A skull view is unrelated.
D. Oblique view of the spine
A spine oblique does not assess the airways.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Expiratory film or lateral decubitus view. A bronchial foreign body causes a ball-valve effect, so the affected lung stays hyperinflated on expiration and the mediastinum shifts away.

Why is "Prone abdominal view" not the answer?

A prone abdominal film is not relevant to the airway.

Why is "Skull view" not the answer?

A skull view is unrelated.

Why is "Oblique view of the spine" not the answer?

A spine oblique does not assess the airways.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Imaging: choice of modality in Radiology. Expiratory or decubitus films show failure of the affected lung to deflate, which is sometimes the only abnormality. Bronchoscopy is the definitive investigation.

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 Imaging: choice of modality?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.