Cardiology: constrictive pericarditis: 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.

Try it

General Medicine · Cardiology: constrictive pericarditis

Sample item

A young man from a tuberculosis-endemic area has ascites, raised JVP that rises on inspiration, an early diastolic knock and pericardial calcification on chest X-ray. What is the definitive treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pericardiectomy after antitubercular therapy

Constrictive pericarditis presents with Kussmaul sign, pericardial knock and calcification, and tuberculosis is the leading cause in India. Definitive treatment is surgical pericardiectomy for symptomatic disease. Antitubercular therapy is given in tubercular cases and may prevent progression.

Option by option

  • A. Diuretics alone indefinitely

    Diuretics only relieve congestion temporarily.

  • B. Pericardiectomy after antitubercular therapy (correct)

    Correct. Pericardiectomy is definitive for established constriction.

  • C. Beta blockers

    Beta blockers can worsen output because stroke volume is fixed.

  • D. Pericardiocentesis

    Pericardiocentesis treats effusion, not a rigid shell.

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.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Pericardiectomy after antitubercular therapy. Constrictive pericarditis presents with Kussmaul sign, pericardial knock and calcification, and tuberculosis is the leading cause in India.

Why is "Diuretics alone indefinitely" not the answer?

Diuretics only relieve congestion temporarily.

Why is "Beta blockers" not the answer?

Beta blockers can worsen output because stroke volume is fixed.

Why is "Pericardiocentesis" not the answer?

Pericardiocentesis treats effusion, not a rigid shell.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: constrictive pericarditis in General Medicine. Definitive treatment is surgical pericardiectomy for symptomatic disease. Antitubercular therapy is given in tubercular cases and may prevent progression.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: constrictive pericarditis?

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.