AGNP BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS Assessment Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat (166
Questions)
Question:
Ophthalmoscopic examination of the fundus reveals small, rounded, slightly irregular red spots
embedded in the retina. These findings are consistent with:
superficial retinal hemorrhages.
preretinal hemorrhages.
microaneurysms.
deep retinal hemorrhages. Correct
Explanation:
Deep retinal hemorrhages appear as small, rounded, slightly irregular red spots and are
sometimes called dot or blot hemorrhages. They occur in a deeper layer of the retina than flame-
shaped hemorrhages. Diabetes is a common cause. Superficial retinal hemorrhages appear as
small, linear, flame-shaped, red streaks in the fundi and are seen in hypertension, papilledema,
and occlusion of the retinal vein. Preretinal hemorrhages lie anteriorly between the retina and the
vitreous and are typically larger than retinal hemorrhages. These hemorrhages obscure any
underlying retinal vessel. Microaneurysms present as tiny, round, red spots commonly seen in
and around the macular area. These are classic in diabetic retinopathy.
Question:
The whispered voice test allows the examiner to screen for:
low frequency hearing loss.
high frequency hearing loss.
general hearing loss. Correct
conductive hearing loss.
Explanation:
The whispered voice test for auditory acuity and allows the examiner to screen for general
hearing loss. In the elderly who have presbycusis, high frequency hearing loss is present. Since
consonants are higher frequency sounds than vowels, these sounds are often missed.
Question:
On examination of the tympanic membrane, a red bulging ear drum is detected. This is consistent
with:
, acute otitis externa.
chronic otitis externa.
acute otitis media. Correct
a serous effusion.
Explanation:
A red bulging tympanic membrane may be found in a patient who has acute otitis media. In acute
otitis externa, the canal may be swollen, narrow, moist and pale with tenderness on touching. The
ear drum is intact. In chronic otitis externa, the skin of the canal may be thickened, red, and
pruritic. The ear drum is usually unaffected. With serous effusion the ear drum appears amber
and there usually is no bulging of the eardrum.
Question:
One of the refractive errors of vision that presents with symptoms of blurriness and improved
with corrective lens, is known as:
hyperopia.
myopia.
strabismus.
astigmatism. Correct
Explanation:
Myopia, nearsightedness, occurs when light rays focus anterior to the retina. Hyperopia,
farsightedness, occurs when light rays focus posterior to the retina. Strabismus, heterotropia, is a
condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. In astigmatism, light rays
do not focus correctly on the retina. This causes blurriness.
Question:
Miosis is a term used to describe:
the shape of the pupils.
constriction of the pupils. Correct
dilation of the pupils.
symmetry of the pupils.
Explanation:
Miosis refers to constriction of the pupils, mydriasis refers to dilation. Miosis is not associated
with the shape or symmetry of the pupils.
,Question:
Otosclerosis is an example of a(n):
conductive hearing loss. Correct
sensorineural hearing loss.
mixed hearing loss.
acquired hearing loss.
Explanation:
Otosclerosis is a hereditary disorder of the labyrinthine capsule in which abnormal bone growth
occurs around the ossicles resulting in fixation of the stapes. The stapes does not vibrate which
reduces sound transmission to the inner ear. This produces a conductive hearing loss.
Question:
Drooping of the upper eyelid is termed:
an epicanthal fold.
ptosis. Correct
a retracted lid.
ectropion.
Explanation:
Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid and can be caused by myasthenia gravis, damage to the
oculomotor nerve, or to the sympathetic nerve supply (Horner's syndrome). A weakened muscle,
relaxed tissues, and the weight of herniated fat may cause senile ptosis. Ptosis can also be
congenital. An epicanthal fold is a vertical fold of skin that lies over the medial canthus. A
retracted lid is seen as a wide eyed stare. Ectropion is seen when the lower lid turns outward and
exposes the palpebral conjunctiva.
Question:
When a light beam shines into one pupil causing pupillary constriction in that eye, the term used
is:
indirect reaction to light.
consensual reaction to light.
optic radiation.
direct reaction to light. Correct
Explanation:
, The pupils of both eyes respond identically to a light stimulus regardless of which eye has been
stimulated. The direct response describes light entering one eye that produces constriction of the
pupil of that eye. A consensual response describes constriction of the unstimulated pupil. These
reactions should be compared in both eyes and if there is a difference, further investigation is
warranted. Optic radiation is a term used to describe the tract that nerve impulses follow through
the retina, optic nerve, and optic tract.
Question:
Where in the mouth would reddened areas, nodules, or ulcerations that are suspicious of
malignancy be present?
Mucous membranes
Tongue Correct
Gums
Palate
Explanation:
Reddened areas, nodules, or ulcerations noted on the sides and undersurface of the tongue and
the floor of the mouth would be suggestive of cancer. Cancer of the tongue is the second most
common cancer of the mouth; the lip is number one.
Question:
An example of a cause of conductive hearing loss in children would be:
prolonged use of tobramycin.
the presence of a peanut in the ear for three weeks. Correct
congenital rubella syndrome.
maternal history of Herpes infection.
Explanation:
Conductive hearing loss is the most common type in children. It occurs when the transmission of
sound through the external or middle ear is blocked. It may be temporary or permanent,
unilateral or bilateral. It may also be caused by physical abnormalities present from birth, but
more commonly, it begins during childhood as the result of middle ear infections, perforation of
the eardrum, impacted earwax or objects present in the ear canal. The other choices are examples
of sensorineural hearing losses.
Question:
Questions)
Question:
Ophthalmoscopic examination of the fundus reveals small, rounded, slightly irregular red spots
embedded in the retina. These findings are consistent with:
superficial retinal hemorrhages.
preretinal hemorrhages.
microaneurysms.
deep retinal hemorrhages. Correct
Explanation:
Deep retinal hemorrhages appear as small, rounded, slightly irregular red spots and are
sometimes called dot or blot hemorrhages. They occur in a deeper layer of the retina than flame-
shaped hemorrhages. Diabetes is a common cause. Superficial retinal hemorrhages appear as
small, linear, flame-shaped, red streaks in the fundi and are seen in hypertension, papilledema,
and occlusion of the retinal vein. Preretinal hemorrhages lie anteriorly between the retina and the
vitreous and are typically larger than retinal hemorrhages. These hemorrhages obscure any
underlying retinal vessel. Microaneurysms present as tiny, round, red spots commonly seen in
and around the macular area. These are classic in diabetic retinopathy.
Question:
The whispered voice test allows the examiner to screen for:
low frequency hearing loss.
high frequency hearing loss.
general hearing loss. Correct
conductive hearing loss.
Explanation:
The whispered voice test for auditory acuity and allows the examiner to screen for general
hearing loss. In the elderly who have presbycusis, high frequency hearing loss is present. Since
consonants are higher frequency sounds than vowels, these sounds are often missed.
Question:
On examination of the tympanic membrane, a red bulging ear drum is detected. This is consistent
with:
, acute otitis externa.
chronic otitis externa.
acute otitis media. Correct
a serous effusion.
Explanation:
A red bulging tympanic membrane may be found in a patient who has acute otitis media. In acute
otitis externa, the canal may be swollen, narrow, moist and pale with tenderness on touching. The
ear drum is intact. In chronic otitis externa, the skin of the canal may be thickened, red, and
pruritic. The ear drum is usually unaffected. With serous effusion the ear drum appears amber
and there usually is no bulging of the eardrum.
Question:
One of the refractive errors of vision that presents with symptoms of blurriness and improved
with corrective lens, is known as:
hyperopia.
myopia.
strabismus.
astigmatism. Correct
Explanation:
Myopia, nearsightedness, occurs when light rays focus anterior to the retina. Hyperopia,
farsightedness, occurs when light rays focus posterior to the retina. Strabismus, heterotropia, is a
condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. In astigmatism, light rays
do not focus correctly on the retina. This causes blurriness.
Question:
Miosis is a term used to describe:
the shape of the pupils.
constriction of the pupils. Correct
dilation of the pupils.
symmetry of the pupils.
Explanation:
Miosis refers to constriction of the pupils, mydriasis refers to dilation. Miosis is not associated
with the shape or symmetry of the pupils.
,Question:
Otosclerosis is an example of a(n):
conductive hearing loss. Correct
sensorineural hearing loss.
mixed hearing loss.
acquired hearing loss.
Explanation:
Otosclerosis is a hereditary disorder of the labyrinthine capsule in which abnormal bone growth
occurs around the ossicles resulting in fixation of the stapes. The stapes does not vibrate which
reduces sound transmission to the inner ear. This produces a conductive hearing loss.
Question:
Drooping of the upper eyelid is termed:
an epicanthal fold.
ptosis. Correct
a retracted lid.
ectropion.
Explanation:
Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid and can be caused by myasthenia gravis, damage to the
oculomotor nerve, or to the sympathetic nerve supply (Horner's syndrome). A weakened muscle,
relaxed tissues, and the weight of herniated fat may cause senile ptosis. Ptosis can also be
congenital. An epicanthal fold is a vertical fold of skin that lies over the medial canthus. A
retracted lid is seen as a wide eyed stare. Ectropion is seen when the lower lid turns outward and
exposes the palpebral conjunctiva.
Question:
When a light beam shines into one pupil causing pupillary constriction in that eye, the term used
is:
indirect reaction to light.
consensual reaction to light.
optic radiation.
direct reaction to light. Correct
Explanation:
, The pupils of both eyes respond identically to a light stimulus regardless of which eye has been
stimulated. The direct response describes light entering one eye that produces constriction of the
pupil of that eye. A consensual response describes constriction of the unstimulated pupil. These
reactions should be compared in both eyes and if there is a difference, further investigation is
warranted. Optic radiation is a term used to describe the tract that nerve impulses follow through
the retina, optic nerve, and optic tract.
Question:
Where in the mouth would reddened areas, nodules, or ulcerations that are suspicious of
malignancy be present?
Mucous membranes
Tongue Correct
Gums
Palate
Explanation:
Reddened areas, nodules, or ulcerations noted on the sides and undersurface of the tongue and
the floor of the mouth would be suggestive of cancer. Cancer of the tongue is the second most
common cancer of the mouth; the lip is number one.
Question:
An example of a cause of conductive hearing loss in children would be:
prolonged use of tobramycin.
the presence of a peanut in the ear for three weeks. Correct
congenital rubella syndrome.
maternal history of Herpes infection.
Explanation:
Conductive hearing loss is the most common type in children. It occurs when the transmission of
sound through the external or middle ear is blocked. It may be temporary or permanent,
unilateral or bilateral. It may also be caused by physical abnormalities present from birth, but
more commonly, it begins during childhood as the result of middle ear infections, perforation of
the eardrum, impacted earwax or objects present in the ear canal. The other choices are examples
of sensorineural hearing losses.
Question:
