Cardiology: Duke criteria and organisms: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Cardiology: Duke criteria and organisms

Sample item

What is the commonest causative organism of native valve infective endocarditis worldwide and the diagnostic framework used?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Staphylococcus aureus; modified Duke criteria

Staphylococcus aureus is now the commonest cause overall, though viridans streptococci remain important in dental sources and subacute disease in many Indian series. Diagnosis rests on the modified Duke criteria combining blood cultures and echocardiography. Three sets of blood cultures should be drawn before antibiotics.

Option by option

  • A. Candida; Rome criteria

    Rome criteria are for functional gastrointestinal disorders.

  • B. Enterococcus; Light criteria

    Light criteria are for pleural effusion.

  • C. Streptococcus viridans only; Jones criteria

    Jones criteria are for rheumatic fever.

  • D. Staphylococcus aureus; modified Duke criteria (correct)

    Correct. S. aureus is most frequent and Duke criteria guide diagnosis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Staphylococcus aureus; modified Duke criteria. Staphylococcus aureus is now the commonest cause overall, though viridans streptococci remain important in dental sources and subacute disease in many Indian series.

Why is "Candida; Rome criteria" not the answer?

Rome criteria are for functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Why is "Enterococcus; Light criteria" not the answer?

Light criteria are for pleural effusion.

Why is "Streptococcus viridans only; Jones criteria" not the answer?

Jones criteria are for rheumatic fever.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: Duke criteria and organisms in General Medicine. Diagnosis rests on the modified Duke criteria combining blood cultures and echocardiography. Three sets of blood cultures should be drawn before antibiotics.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiology: Duke criteria and organisms?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.