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 05 / 20

Effusion, Chronic Discharge & Cholesteatoma

Differentiate middle-ear fluid from chronic destructive disease and plan follow-up.

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

Question 01. What distinguishes uncomplicated otitis media with effusion from acute otitis media? A. Complete absence of middle-ear fluidB. Mandatory severe feverC. Fluid without the acute inflammatory presentationD. Definite ossicular destruction

Question 02. Which childhood presentation can reflect glue ear? A. Fluctuating hearing with school difficultiesB. Sudden unilateral visual lossC. Isolated skin itchD. Normal hearing proved by lack of pain

Question 03. Which tests help assess childhood middle-ear effusion? A. Chest radiography aloneB. Visual fields aloneC. Otoscopy, age-appropriate audiology and tympanometryD. Serum glucose alone

Question 04. Are antibiotics routinely used to resolve uncomplicated persistent glue ear? A. Yes, indefinitelyB. Only if the child wears glassesC. NoD. They replace hearing assessment

Question 05. What may be an option for a child able to cooperate with treatment? A. Autoinflation through an appropriate care planB. Blind ear probingC. Ear candlingD. Unsupervised pressure irrigation

Question 06. Persistent unilateral effusion in an adult warrants what? A. Automatic reassurance as normal ageingB. Repeated treatment without examinationC. Assessment for an underlying obstructing causeD. No review if painless

Question 07. What should accompany chronic ear-discharge assessment? A. Only deodorising dropsB. Permanent avoidance of reviewC. Drum evaluation and hearing assessmentD. A diagnosis based solely on smell

Question 08. Which finding raises concern for cholesteatoma? A. A normal drum with temporary itchB. Retraction pocket with keratin debris and persistent dischargeC. Isolated seasonal sneezingD. Stable uncomplicated wax

Question 09. Does improvement on drops exclude cholesteatoma? A. Yes, permanentlyB. Only if discharge smells lessC. NoD. Only if hearing briefly improves

Question 10. Vertigo or facial weakness with chronic ear disease requires what? A. Routine annual review onlyB. Reassurance if fever is absentC. A new spectacle prescriptionD. Urgent specialist assessment

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.