Cardiology: ventricular septal defect: 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: ventricular septal defect

Sample item

A 6-year-old child has a loud harsh pansystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border with a palpable thrill. The pulmonary second sound is normal. What is the most likely lesion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ventricular septal defect

A small restrictive VSD produces a loud harsh pansystolic murmur with a thrill at the left lower sternal border. The loudness reflects a high pressure gradient across a small hole. Large defects have softer murmurs and may lead to pulmonary hypertension.

Option by option

  • A. Atrial septal defect

    ASD causes an ejection systolic pulmonary flow murmur and a fixed split second sound.

  • B. Ventricular septal defect (correct)

    Correct. A pansystolic murmur with thrill at the left lower sternal border is typical of a small VSD.

  • C. Patent ductus arteriosus

    PDA produces a continuous machinery murmur below the left clavicle.

  • D. Pulmonary stenosis

    Pulmonary stenosis gives an ejection systolic murmur at the upper left sternal border, often with an ejection 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 B, Ventricular septal defect. A small restrictive VSD produces a loud harsh pansystolic murmur with a thrill at the left lower sternal border.

Why is "Atrial septal defect" not the answer?

ASD causes an ejection systolic pulmonary flow murmur and a fixed split second sound.

Why is "Patent ductus arteriosus" not the answer?

PDA produces a continuous machinery murmur below the left clavicle.

Why is "Pulmonary stenosis" not the answer?

Pulmonary stenosis gives an ejection systolic murmur at the upper left sternal border, often with an ejection click.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: ventricular septal defect in General Medicine. The loudness reflects a high pressure gradient across a small hole. Large defects have softer murmurs and may lead to pulmonary hypertension.

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?

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.