Neonatology: patent ductus arteriosus: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Neonatology: patent ductus arteriosus

Sample item

A preterm infant has a continuous machinery murmur, bounding pulses, and widened pulse pressure. Which lesion is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Patent ductus arteriosus

Persistent patency of the ductus in a preterm infant may cause left-to-right shunting, continuous murmur, bounding pulses, and pulmonary overcirculation. Management is based on hemodynamic significance.

Option by option

  • A. Patent ductus arteriosus (correct)

    Correct. The continuous murmur and bounding pulses are classic PDA clues.

  • B. Tetralogy of Fallot

    Tetralogy produces cyanosis and a systolic murmur.

  • C. Ventricular septal defect only

    VSD causes a pansystolic murmur but not typically continuous machinery sound.

  • D. Coarctation of the aorta

    Coarctation causes weak femoral pulses and differential perfusion.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Patent ductus arteriosus. Persistent patency of the ductus in a preterm infant may cause left-to-right shunting, continuous murmur, bounding pulses, and pulmonary overcirculation.

Why is "Tetralogy of Fallot" not the answer?

Tetralogy produces cyanosis and a systolic murmur.

Why is "Ventricular septal defect only" not the answer?

VSD causes a pansystolic murmur but not typically continuous machinery sound.

Why is "Coarctation of the aorta" not the answer?

Coarctation causes weak femoral pulses and differential perfusion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: patent ductus arteriosus in Pediatrics. Management is based on hemodynamic significance.

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 Neonatology: patent ductus arteriosus?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.