OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is acute otitis media. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how acute otitis media will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a tradition question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a disease is quite valuable.
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
A 6 month old girl is brought to the clinic because she has had a fever for the past 1 day. During this period of time she has been tugging her left ear. She also has had nasal congestion for the past 3 days. Her only current medication is ibuprofen. She does not have any drug allergies. Her mother explains that she is fussy but easily constable. She is in the 15th percentile for length and weight, and the 30th percentile for head circumference. Her temperature is currently 101.0°F, pulse is 125/min, and respirations are 25/min. Examination of her left ear shows a bulging, diffusely erythematous tympanic membrane. There is no pneumatic otoscope. The right ear appears to be unremarkable. The rest of the exam is non-contributory. What is the likely diagnosis in this patient?
Explanation: fever + tugging ear + bulging/erythematous tympanic membrane = acute otitis media
Question # 2
A 6 year old boy is broth tot the clinic because he is complaining of right ear pain. He has had a “stuffy nose” for the past week, and also has been running a low-grade fever. His mother notes that he seems to be having difficulty hearing from his right ear, and turns his head when she is talking to him. The child has a n unremarkable past medical history, has received all of his scheduled immunizations, and has no allergies. In the clinic his temperature is 100.6°F, blood pressure si 115/60 mm Hg, and pulse is 115/min. A physical exam shows a bulging and erythematous right tympani membrane. It is imbue and very painful with pneumatic insufflation. The other ear appears to be unremarkable. His nasal mucousa appear soggy, and there is postnasal drip present. The patient’s frontal sinuses are non-tender to palpation. What is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?
Explanation: fever + ear pain + bulging/erythematous tympanic membrane = acute otitis media
Page Updated: 11.08.2016