Cardiology: ventricular septal defect: 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 · Cardiology: ventricular septal defect

Sample item

A child has a harsh pansystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border and poor weight gain. What congenital lesion is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ventricular septal defect

A ventricular septal defect causes left-to-right shunting and a harsh pansystolic murmur at the lower left sternal border. Larger defects can cause heart-failure symptoms and poor growth.

Option by option

  • A. Coarctation of the aorta

    Coarctation causes weak femoral pulses and blood-pressure differential.

  • B. Atrial septal defect

    ASD causes fixed split S2 and ejection flow murmur.

  • C. Ventricular septal defect (correct)

    Correct. Murmur location and shunt symptoms fit VSD.

  • D. Patent ductus arteriosus

    PDA produces continuous machinery murmur.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Ventricular septal defect. A ventricular septal defect causes left-to-right shunting and a harsh pansystolic murmur at the lower left sternal border.

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

Coarctation causes weak femoral pulses and blood-pressure differential.

Why is "Atrial septal defect" not the answer?

ASD causes fixed split S2 and ejection flow murmur.

Why is "Patent ductus arteriosus" not the answer?

PDA produces continuous machinery murmur.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: ventricular septal defect in Pediatrics. Larger defects can cause heart-failure symptoms and poor growth.

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: ventricular septal defect?

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.