Cardiology: acute rheumatic fever: 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: acute rheumatic fever

Sample item

A 9-year-old with sore throat 3 weeks ago presents with migratory polyarthritis, fever, a new apical pansystolic murmur and raised ASO titre. Which category of Jones criteria is polyarthritis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Major criterion

Major criteria are carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum and subcutaneous nodules (in low-risk populations, arthritis is polyarthritis; in moderate to high risk populations, monoarthritis and polyarthralgia also count). Minor criteria include fever, raised ESR or CRP, prolonged PR interval and, in low-risk groups, arthralgia. Evidence of recent streptococcal infection is required.

Option by option

  • A. Major criterion (correct)

    Correct. Polyarthritis is a major criterion.

  • B. Evidence of preceding streptococcal infection

    ASO is the evidence of infection, not the arthritis.

  • C. Not included

    Arthritis is part of the criteria.

  • D. Minor criterion

    Arthralgia is a minor 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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Major criterion. Major criteria are carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum and subcutaneous nodules (in low-risk populations, arthritis is polyarthritis; in moderate to high risk populations, monoarthritis and polyarthralgia also count).

Why is "Evidence of preceding streptococcal infection" not the answer?

ASO is the evidence of infection, not the arthritis.

Why is "Not included" not the answer?

Arthritis is part of the criteria.

Why is "Minor criterion" not the answer?

Arthralgia is a minor criterion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: acute rheumatic fever in Pediatrics. Minor criteria include fever, raised ESR or CRP, prolonged PR interval and, in low-risk groups, arthralgia. Evidence of recent streptococcal infection is required.

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: acute rheumatic fever?

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.