Vestibular Disorders – Evaluation of Vertigo MCQ Quiz | Ear (Otology)

Quiz Introduction

Welcome to this specialized multiple-choice quiz on the Evaluation of Vertigo, a crucial topic in Otology for MBBS students. This quiz is designed to test your understanding of vestibular disorders, from clinical history and examination techniques like the HINTS exam and Dix-Hallpike maneuver, to the interpretation of diagnostic tests such as VNG and audiometry. Covering key conditions like BPPV, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis, these 25 questions will challenge your ability to differentiate between peripheral and central causes of vertigo. After completing the quiz, you can submit your answers to see your score and review the correct responses. You can also download all questions with their correct answers in a PDF format for future revision. Good luck!

1. In the HINTS examination for acute vestibular syndrome, what does the “HI” component stand for?

2. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver is primarily used to diagnose which of the following conditions?

3. Which of the following represents the classic triad of symptoms for Meniere’s disease?

4. The key feature that distinguishes vestibular neuritis from labyrinthitis is:

5. A purely vertical or purely torsional nystagmus is highly suggestive of a lesion in which location?

6. In caloric testing of the vestibular system, the mnemonic COWS refers to the direction of the fast phase of nystagmus. What does it stand for?

7. During the Head-Thrust Test, a corrective saccade is observed when the head is rapidly turned to the right. This suggests a lesion in the:

8. A patient describes episodes of vertigo lasting only seconds to a minute, consistently triggered by rolling over in bed or looking up. This history is most characteristic of:

9. In the Fukuda Stepping Test, a patient who rotates more than 45 degrees is considered to have a positive test. The direction of rotation typically points towards:

10. Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMP) testing is used to assess the function of which specific parts of the vestibular system?

11. A patient reports that loud noises or changes in ear pressure induce brief episodes of vertigo. This is known as the:

12. Bidirectional gaze-evoked nystagmus (i.e., nystagmus that changes direction depending on the direction of gaze) is a strong indicator of:

13. A positive Romberg’s test (patient is stable with eyes open but sways or falls with eyes closed) indicates a deficit in:

14. What is the characteristic finding on an audiogram in the early stages of Meniere’s disease?

15. A 35-year-old presents with a single, severe episode of vertigo lasting 48 hours, accompanied by unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, following an upper respiratory tract infection. The most likely diagnosis is:

16. Which imaging modality is most appropriate for a patient presenting with acute vertigo and other neurological signs, to rule out a posterior circulation stroke?

17. Alexander’s Law describes a feature of peripheral vestibular nystagmus where the intensity of the nystagmus increases when the patient:

18. The Epley maneuver is a canalith repositioning procedure used as a treatment for:

19. Which of the following features is more suggestive of vestibular migraine than Meniere’s disease?

20. Videonystagmography (VNG) is a diagnostic test that objectively records what physiological response?

21. Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS) is characterized by vertigo induced by sound (Tullio phenomenon) and what other key symptom?

22. A history of head trauma or barotrauma followed by episodic vertigo and fluctuating hearing loss should raise suspicion for:

23. The presence of skew deviation (vertical misalignment of the eyes) in a patient with acute vestibular syndrome is a component of the HINTS exam and strongly suggests:

24. Which of the following tests is considered the gold standard for diagnosing bilateral vestibular loss?

25. Which class of antibiotics is well-known for its ototoxic effects, which can cause both vestibulotoxicity (vertigo, imbalance) and cochleotoxicity (hearing loss)?