Cardiology: infective endocarditis: 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: infective endocarditis

Sample item

A patient with fever and a new regurgitant murmur has repeatedly positive blood cultures for Staphylococcus aureus. What is the most appropriate next diagnostic investigation to assess valvular involvement?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Echocardiography

In suspected infective endocarditis, echocardiography evaluates for vegetations, valve destruction, and complications such as abscess. Blood cultures should be obtained appropriately before antimicrobial therapy when feasible.

Option by option

  • A. Spirometry

    Spirometry evaluates pulmonary airflow, not valvular infection.

  • B. Echocardiography (correct)

    Correct. Echocardiography directly assesses the suspected infected valve and complications.

  • C. Exercise treadmill testing

    Exercise testing is inappropriate in an acutely unwell patient with suspected endocarditis.

  • D. Coronary calcium scoring

    Coronary calcium scoring does not diagnose infective valve lesions.

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 B, Echocardiography. In suspected infective endocarditis, echocardiography evaluates for vegetations, valve destruction, and complications such as abscess.

Why is "Spirometry" not the answer?

Spirometry evaluates pulmonary airflow, not valvular infection.

Why is "Exercise treadmill testing" not the answer?

Exercise testing is inappropriate in an acutely unwell patient with suspected endocarditis.

Why is "Coronary calcium scoring" not the answer?

Coronary calcium scoring does not diagnose infective valve lesions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: infective endocarditis in General Medicine. Blood cultures should be obtained appropriately before antimicrobial therapy when feasible.

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: infective endocarditis?

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.