Drugs in pregnancy: lithium: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Drugs in pregnancy: lithium

Sample item

A woman with bipolar disorder on lithium becomes pregnant. First-trimester exposure is associated with which defect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ebstein anomaly

Lithium is linked with an increased, though small, absolute risk of right-sided cardiac defects, particularly Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Levels need close monitoring in pregnancy because renal clearance rises.

Option by option

  • A. Tetralogy of Fallot

    Tetralogy of Fallot is not the classic lithium defect.

  • B. Atrial septal defect with cleft palate

    This combination is not a lithium syndrome.

  • C. Ebstein anomaly (correct)

    Correct. Ebstein anomaly is the classic lithium-associated cardiac defect.

  • D. Coarctation of the aorta

    Coarctation is not specifically linked to lithium.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is C, Ebstein anomaly. Lithium is linked with an increased, though small, absolute risk of right-sided cardiac defects, particularly Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve.

Why is "Tetralogy of Fallot" not the answer?

Tetralogy of Fallot is not the classic lithium defect.

Why is "Atrial septal defect with cleft palate" not the answer?

This combination is not a lithium syndrome.

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

Coarctation is not specifically linked to lithium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drugs in pregnancy: lithium in OBG. Levels need close monitoring in pregnancy because renal clearance rises.

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 Drugs in pregnancy: lithium?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.