ENT

20 learning units • 100 chapter sections • 200 explained questions. Assess ear, nose and throat symptoms, recognise urgent complications and plan safe treatment, referral and rehabilitation.

Original RAHBAR study material for the Year 4 learning pathway. Clinical cases support supervised undergraduate learning. Treatment choices, doses and procedures must follow current local protocols and the responsible clinical team. References & further reading ↓

MODULE 04 / 20

Acute Otitis Media & Mastoid Complications

Recognise middle-ear infection, support appropriate prescribing and identify spreading disease.

Answer all 10 questions, then submit to see your score and explanations. This is a self-study exercise; results are not saved.

Question 01. Which otoscopic finding most supports acute otitis media in the right clinical setting? A. A bulging tympanic membraneB. Redness alone after cryingC. A normal mobile drumD. Wax only

Question 02. What is central to symptom management in acute otitis media? A. Antibiotics without pain control in every caseB. Ear candlingC. Appropriate analgesiaD. Permanent ear occlusion

Question 03. Must every uncomplicated acute otitis media episode receive immediate antibiotics? A. Yes, in every age groupB. No, the decision depends on clinical risk and guidanceC. No patient ever benefitsD. Only if the ear is itchy

Question 04. What does new ear discharge during otitis media sometimes indicate? A. Certain resolution without follow-upB. An intact normal drum in every caseC. Tympanic membrane perforationD. A purely neurological cause

Question 05. Why avoid routine irrigation when a perforation is possible? A. It always improves all infectionsB. Fluid may enter the middle ear and cause harmC. It is needed to diagnose mastoiditisD. It prevents every complication

Question 06. Which finding raises concern for mastoiditis? A. Postauricular swelling with pinna displacementB. Isolated mild nasal itchC. Stable bilateral age-related hearing lossD. Normal ear and mastoid examination

Question 07. Suspected mastoiditis requires what? A. Annual audiometry aloneB. A spectacle reviewC. Waiting for all pain to stopD. Urgent hospital ENT assessment

Question 08. Facial weakness during an ear infection should be treated how? A. As a complication requiring urgent assessmentB. As routine recoveryC. As proof the infection has resolvedD. As a reason to stop examination

Question 09. Severe headache and altered consciousness with ear infection suggest what? A. Uncomplicated waxB. Simple ear eczema onlyC. Possible intracranial complicationD. Normal antibiotic response

Question 10. Persistent hearing difficulty after an acute episode needs what? A. Automatic permanent dischargeB. Reassessment of the ear and hearingC. Repeated antibiotics without examinationD. Reassurance based only on age

0 / 10 answered

References & Further Reading

Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.

Reference review: 28 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.