Nose: 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 · Nose

Sample item

A young woman complains that her family notices a foul smell from her nose. She herself cannot smell it. Examination shows wide nasal cavities, atrophic turbinates and greenish crusts. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Primary atrophic rhinitis

Primary atrophic rhinitis (ozaena) is characterised by atrophy of the mucosa and turbinates, foul-smelling crusts and anosmia, so the patient is unaware of the smell. Klebsiella ozaenae is often cultured, and treatment includes nasal irrigation and crust removal.

Option by option

  • A. Primary atrophic rhinitis (correct)

    Atrophy with crusting and fetor with the patient unaware of the smell is typical of ozaena.

  • B. Rhinitis medicamentosa

    Rhinitis medicamentosa gives swollen, congested mucosa after overuse of decongestant drops.

  • C. Allergic rhinitis

    Allergic rhinitis gives pale boggy mucosa with sneezing and watery discharge, not atrophy.

  • D. Nasal diphtheria

    Nasal diphtheria causes a membrane and blood-stained discharge, usually in a child.

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 A, Primary atrophic rhinitis. Primary atrophic rhinitis (ozaena) is characterised by atrophy of the mucosa and turbinates, foul-smelling crusts and anosmia, so the patient is unaware of the smell.

Why is "Rhinitis medicamentosa" not the answer?

Rhinitis medicamentosa gives swollen, congested mucosa after overuse of decongestant drops.

Why is "Allergic rhinitis" not the answer?

Allergic rhinitis gives pale boggy mucosa with sneezing and watery discharge, not atrophy.

Why is "Nasal diphtheria" not the answer?

Nasal diphtheria causes a membrane and blood-stained discharge, usually in a child.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose in ENT. Klebsiella ozaenae is often cultured, and treatment includes nasal irrigation and crust removal.

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 Nose?

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.