Cardiology: endocarditis prophylaxis: 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.

Try it

General Medicine · Cardiology: endocarditis prophylaxis

Sample item

Which of the following patients should receive antibiotic prophylaxis before a dental extraction to prevent infective endocarditis?

AA patient with a prosthetic mechanical heart valveBA patient with an innocent flow murmurCA patient with mitral valve prolapse without regurgitationDA patient with an isolated secundum atrial septal defect

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. A patient with a prosthetic mechanical heart valve

Prophylaxis is reserved for the highest-risk cardiac conditions: prosthetic valves, previous infective endocarditis, certain unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, and some recently repaired defects. Common lesions such as mitral valve prolapse or secundum ASD do not need it. Oral amoxicillin given before the procedure is the usual choice.

Option by option

A. A patient with a prosthetic mechanical heart valve (correct)
Correct. A prosthetic valve is a high-risk substrate for endocarditis and warrants prophylaxis.
B. A patient with an innocent flow murmur
Innocent murmurs reflect a structurally normal heart and need no prophylaxis.
C. A patient with mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation
Mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation carries low risk and does not require prophylaxis.
D. A patient with an isolated secundum atrial septal defect
An isolated secundum ASD is not an indication for prophylaxis.

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.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, A patient with a prosthetic mechanical heart valve. Prophylaxis is reserved for the highest-risk cardiac conditions: prosthetic valves, previous infective endocarditis, certain unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, and some recently repaired defects.

Why is "A patient with an innocent flow murmur" not the answer?

Innocent murmurs reflect a structurally normal heart and need no prophylaxis.

Why is "A patient with mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation" not the answer?

Mitral valve prolapse without regurgitation carries low risk and does not require prophylaxis.

Why is "A patient with an isolated secundum atrial septal defect" not the answer?

An isolated secundum ASD is not an indication for prophylaxis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: endocarditis prophylaxis in General Medicine. Common lesions such as mitral valve prolapse or secundum ASD do not need it. Oral amoxicillin given before the procedure is the usual choice.

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: endocarditis prophylaxis?

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.