Cardiovascular pathology: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Cardiovascular pathology

Sample item

What initiates atherosclerosis most directly?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Endothelial dysfunction with lipid accumulation

Atherosclerosis begins with endothelial dysfunction and retention of atherogenic lipoproteins in the intima, followed by chronic inflammation and plaque formation.

Option by option

  • A. Endothelial dysfunction with lipid accumulation (correct)

    Correct: endothelial injury and lipid retention start plaque development.

  • B. Complete absence of plasma proteins

    Plasma proteins are not completely absent in atherosclerosis.

  • C. Acute bacterial invasion of every artery

    Bacteria are not required for typical plaque formation.

  • D. Excess collagen breakdown only

    Collagen changes occur later but are not the initiating event.

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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, Endothelial dysfunction with lipid accumulation. Atherosclerosis begins with endothelial dysfunction and retention of atherogenic lipoproteins in the intima, followed by chronic inflammation and plaque formation.

Why is "Complete absence of plasma proteins" not the answer?

Plasma proteins are not completely absent in atherosclerosis.

Why is "Acute bacterial invasion of every artery" not the answer?

Bacteria are not required for typical plaque formation.

Why is "Excess collagen breakdown only" not the answer?

Collagen changes occur later but are not the initiating event.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular pathology in Pathology. The correct option holds because: Correct: endothelial injury and lipid retention start plaque development.

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 Cardiovascular pathology?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.