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.

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General Medicine · Cardiology: constrictive pericarditis

Sample item

A patient has elevated JVP, ascites, peripheral edema, and a sharp early diastolic pericardial knock after prior tuberculosis. What diagnosis is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Constrictive pericarditis

Constrictive pericarditis limits diastolic filling because of a rigid pericardium, causing systemic venous congestion and a pericardial knock. Tuberculosis is a recognized cause in endemic settings.

Option by option

  • A. Dilated cardiomyopathy

    Dilated cardiomyopathy causes systolic dysfunction and often a displaced apex.

  • B. Acute pericarditis

    Acute pericarditis causes pleuritic positional pain and friction rub.

  • C. Constrictive pericarditis (correct)

    Correct. Right-heart failure signs with a pericardial knock fit constriction.

  • D. Mitral valve prolapse

    Mitral prolapse causes a midsystolic click.

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, Constrictive pericarditis. Constrictive pericarditis limits diastolic filling because of a rigid pericardium, causing systemic venous congestion and a pericardial knock.

Why is "Dilated cardiomyopathy" not the answer?

Dilated cardiomyopathy causes systolic dysfunction and often a displaced apex.

Why is "Acute pericarditis" not the answer?

Acute pericarditis causes pleuritic positional pain and friction rub.

Why is "Mitral valve prolapse" not the answer?

Mitral prolapse causes a midsystolic click.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: constrictive pericarditis in General Medicine. Tuberculosis is a recognized cause in endemic settings.

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: 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.