Cardiology: coarctation: 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: coarctation

Sample item

An infant has poor feeding, shock after the first week of life, weak femoral pulses, and higher arm than leg blood pressure. What lesion is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Coarctation of the aorta

Critical coarctation may become apparent as the ductus closes, causing impaired systemic perfusion and shock. Weak femoral pulses and upper-lower limb pressure difference are key findings.

Option by option

  • A. Coarctation of the aorta (correct)

    Correct. Differential pulses and blood pressure suggest coarctation.

  • B. Atrial septal defect

    ASD is often asymptomatic early and produces fixed split S2.

  • C. Tricuspid atresia

    Tricuspid atresia presents with cyanosis and different cardiac findings.

  • D. Patent ductus arteriosus

    PDA causes continuous murmur and bounding pulses.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Coarctation of the aorta. Critical coarctation may become apparent as the ductus closes, causing impaired systemic perfusion and shock.

Why is "Atrial septal defect" not the answer?

ASD is often asymptomatic early and produces fixed split S2.

Why is "Tricuspid atresia" not the answer?

Tricuspid atresia presents with cyanosis and different cardiac findings.

Why is "Patent ductus arteriosus" not the answer?

PDA causes continuous murmur and bounding pulses.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: coarctation in Pediatrics. Weak femoral pulses and upper-lower limb pressure difference are key findings.

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: coarctation?

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.