Cardiology: 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

Sample item

What is the typical murmur timing of a ventricular septal defect?

AEarly diastolic murmur at apexBMid-systolic click onlyCHarsh pansystolic murmur at left lower sternal edgeDContinuous machinery murmur under left clavicle

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Harsh pansystolic murmur at left lower sternal edge

A ventricular septal defect produces a harsh pansystolic murmur from left-to-right flow across the septum, often loudest at the lower left sternal border.

Option by option

A. Early diastolic murmur at apex
Apical diastolic murmurs have valvular causes.
B. Mid-systolic click only
Mid-systolic click suggests mitral valve prolapse.
C. Harsh pansystolic murmur at left lower sternal edge (correct)
Correct: pansystolic septal-flow murmur is typical of VSD.
D. Continuous machinery murmur under left clavicle
Machinery murmur suggests patent ductus arteriosus.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Harsh pansystolic murmur at left lower sternal edge. A ventricular septal defect produces a harsh pansystolic murmur from left-to-right flow across the septum, often loudest at the lower left sternal border.

Why is "Early diastolic murmur at apex" not the answer?

Apical diastolic murmurs have valvular causes.

Why is "Mid-systolic click only" not the answer?

Mid-systolic click suggests mitral valve prolapse.

Why is "Continuous machinery murmur under left clavicle" not the answer?

Machinery murmur suggests patent ductus arteriosus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology in Pediatrics. The correct option holds because: Correct: pansystolic septal-flow murmur is typical of VSD.

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?

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.