Paediatric emergencies: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Paediatric emergencies

Sample item

A 2-year-old suddenly chokes while eating peanuts, then develops persistent cough and unilateral wheeze with reduced air entry on the right. An expiratory chest film shows hyperinflation of the right lung. What is the next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Rigid bronchoscopy for removal

A sudden choking episode followed by unilateral wheeze and air trapping on an expiratory film indicates an aspirated foreign body in the right bronchus. Rigid bronchoscopy allows safe visualisation and removal while maintaining the airway, and delay risks pneumonia, collapse and obstruction.

Option by option

  • A. Rigid bronchoscopy for removal (correct)

    Correct. Rigid bronchoscopy is the standard method to remove an airway foreign body in a child.

  • B. Nebulised bronchodilators only

    Bronchodilators will not relieve a mechanical obstruction.

  • C. Antibiotics and observation

    Antibiotics do not remove the object, and delay risks complications.

  • D. Chest physiotherapy with postural drainage

    Physiotherapy can dislodge an object into a worse position and does not remove it reliably.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Rigid bronchoscopy for removal. A sudden choking episode followed by unilateral wheeze and air trapping on an expiratory film indicates an aspirated foreign body in the right bronchus.

Why is "Nebulised bronchodilators only" not the answer?

Bronchodilators will not relieve a mechanical obstruction.

Why is "Antibiotics and observation" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not remove the object, and delay risks complications.

Why is "Chest physiotherapy with postural drainage" not the answer?

Physiotherapy can dislodge an object into a worse position and does not remove it reliably.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric emergencies in Pediatrics. Rigid bronchoscopy allows safe visualisation and removal while maintaining the airway, and delay risks pneumonia, collapse and obstruction.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Paediatric emergencies?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.