Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis Exam
Questions and Answers Graded A+
Pharyngitis - Correct answer-Encompasses non-infectious or infectious
inflammation of the pharynx from either infection or irritation
Tonsillitis - Correct answer-An acute or chronic inflammation of the tonsils and
usually results from GAS infection.
May not be a concern unless the patient is symptomatic.
Clinical Presentation - Correct answer-Immediate emergency department referral
or physician consultation is indicated for pharyngeal abscess
Sxs vary according to the offending agent
Bacterial: sore throat and dryness; if environmental allergens are the cause,
symptoms often include rhinorrhea, watery eyes, and postnasal drip
Viral: sudden onset of a sore throat, fever, malaise, cough, headache, myalgias, and
fatigue
GAS: More acute Sxs with lymphadenopathy and exudates
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, Physical Exam - Correct answer-Fever, cough, nasal symptoms, mild erythema
Painful or tender lymphadenopathy is not typically present
GAS Sxs - Correct answer-Marked erythema of the throat and tonsils; patchy,
discrete, white or yellowish exudate; pharyngeal petechiae; and tender anterior
cervical adenopathy
Diagnostics - Correct answer-Clinical presentation may indicate the diagnosis
For GAS screening - Correct answer-Throat culture, a rapid antigen detection test
(RADT), and sometimes an antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer
CBC
Monospot
Differential Dxs - Correct answer-Infectious mononucleosis
Allergies
Thrush
Peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess
Pharyngeal abscess
Epiglottitis
Leukoplakia URI
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Questions and Answers Graded A+
Pharyngitis - Correct answer-Encompasses non-infectious or infectious
inflammation of the pharynx from either infection or irritation
Tonsillitis - Correct answer-An acute or chronic inflammation of the tonsils and
usually results from GAS infection.
May not be a concern unless the patient is symptomatic.
Clinical Presentation - Correct answer-Immediate emergency department referral
or physician consultation is indicated for pharyngeal abscess
Sxs vary according to the offending agent
Bacterial: sore throat and dryness; if environmental allergens are the cause,
symptoms often include rhinorrhea, watery eyes, and postnasal drip
Viral: sudden onset of a sore throat, fever, malaise, cough, headache, myalgias, and
fatigue
GAS: More acute Sxs with lymphadenopathy and exudates
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Physical Exam - Correct answer-Fever, cough, nasal symptoms, mild erythema
Painful or tender lymphadenopathy is not typically present
GAS Sxs - Correct answer-Marked erythema of the throat and tonsils; patchy,
discrete, white or yellowish exudate; pharyngeal petechiae; and tender anterior
cervical adenopathy
Diagnostics - Correct answer-Clinical presentation may indicate the diagnosis
For GAS screening - Correct answer-Throat culture, a rapid antigen detection test
(RADT), and sometimes an antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer
CBC
Monospot
Differential Dxs - Correct answer-Infectious mononucleosis
Allergies
Thrush
Peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess
Pharyngeal abscess
Epiglottitis
Leukoplakia URI
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
