Cardiology: infective endocarditis: 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: infective endocarditis

Sample item

Which physical finding is a peripheral manifestation of infective endocarditis?

AA fixed dilated pupilBSplinter hemorrhages beneath the nailsCA positive Babinski signDPitting edema from venous insufficiency

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Splinter hemorrhages beneath the nails

Endocarditis can produce peripheral vascular or immunologic signs including splinter hemorrhages, Janeway lesions, Osler nodes, and Roth spots. Diagnosis relies on cultures, imaging, and clinical criteria.

Option by option

A. A fixed dilated pupil
A fixed pupil suggests an acute neurologic emergency.
B. Splinter hemorrhages beneath the nails (correct)
Correct. Splinter hemorrhages may occur in endocarditis, though they are not specific.
C. A positive Babinski sign
Babinski sign indicates corticospinal tract dysfunction.
D. Pitting edema from venous insufficiency
Venous edema is unrelated to endocardial infection.

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 B, Splinter hemorrhages beneath the nails. Endocarditis can produce peripheral vascular or immunologic signs including splinter hemorrhages, Janeway lesions, Osler nodes, and Roth spots.

Why is "A fixed dilated pupil" not the answer?

A fixed pupil suggests an acute neurologic emergency.

Why is "A positive Babinski sign" not the answer?

Babinski sign indicates corticospinal tract dysfunction.

Why is "Pitting edema from venous insufficiency" not the answer?

Venous edema is unrelated to endocardial infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: infective endocarditis in General Medicine. Diagnosis relies on cultures, imaging, and clinical criteria.

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: infective endocarditis?

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.