Infectious disease: 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 · Infectious disease: infective endocarditis

Sample item

Which finding is a major Duke criterion for infective endocarditis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Persistent positive blood cultures with a typical organism

Typical organisms in persistently positive blood cultures are a major Duke criterion; echocardiographic endocardial involvement is another. Fever is a minor criterion.

Option by option

  • A. Fever alone

    Fever is supportive but minor.

  • B. Elevated CRP only

    CRP is nonspecific inflammation.

  • C. Persistent positive blood cultures with a typical organism (correct)

    Correct. Persistent typical bacteremia is major evidence.

  • D. A new cough

    Cough is not a Duke criterion.

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 C, Persistent positive blood cultures with a typical organism. Typical organisms in persistently positive blood cultures are a major Duke criterion; echocardiographic endocardial involvement is another.

Why is "Fever alone" not the answer?

Fever is supportive but minor.

Why is "Elevated CRP only" not the answer?

CRP is nonspecific inflammation.

Why is "A new cough" not the answer?

Cough is not a Duke criterion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious disease: infective endocarditis in General Medicine. Fever is a minor criterion.

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 Infectious disease: 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.