Question Easy:
A 30-year-old man visits his GP with sudden onset right ear pain and hearing loss after returning from a flight. He mentions he has had a runny nose and sore throat for the past few days. Upon examination, the GP notices a retracted tympanic membrane. What is the most likely cause of his symptoms? 🎧✈️
A) Earwax impaction
B) Otitis externa
C) Eustachian tube dysfunction
D) Foreign body in the ear
E) Vestibular neuronitis
Explanations & Answers:
Question Easy Answer: C) Eustachian tube dysfunction
Question Easy Explanation: Eustachian tube dysfunction is common following upper respiratory infections or flights due to pressure changes, leading to ear pain and hearing issues as seen in this patient. This is consistent with NICE guidelines which indicate that nasal congestion from a common cold may result in Eustachian tube blockage, especially after altitude changes.
Question Medium:
A 65-year-old woman complains of gradually worsening vision in her left eye over several months. She describes seeing halos around lights and increasing difficulty with night driving. What is the most likely diagnosis? 👁️🔍
A) Glaucoma
B) Cataracts
C) Age-related macular degeneration
D) Diabetic retinopathy
E) Retinal detachment
Explanations & Answers:
Question Medium Answer: B) Cataracts
Question Medium Explanation: The presence of halos around lights and night vision difficulties are classic symptoms of cataracts, as noted by the NHS. Cataracts typically cause a gradual decline in vision, affecting the opacity of the lens, leading to the described symptoms.
Question Hard:
A 45-year-old man presents with recurrent episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and progressive hearing loss occurring over several months. Each episode of vertigo lasts from a few minutes to several hours. The hearing loss primarily affects low frequencies. What is the most likely diagnosis? 🎶🔊
A) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
B) Meniere’s disease
C) Labyrinthitis
D) Acoustic neuroma
E) Vestibular migraine
Explanations & Answers:
Question Hard Answer: B) Meniere’s disease
Question Hard Explanation: Meniere’s disease is characterised by a triad of symptoms: vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, often in low frequencies, aligning with NHS guidelines. Episodes can vary in duration, and the progressive nature of symptoms in this case points to Meniere’s disease.
Medical fact of the day: Did you know that the human ear can distinguish over 400,000 different sounds? It’s a marvel of special senses, relying on the delicate structures of the inner ear to interpret vibrations into meaningful auditory information.
Quote of the day: “In the realm of healing, every small act of kindness resonates as a symphony of hope in the lives of those we care for.”