Retina: Roth spots: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Retina: Roth spots

Sample item

A patient with fever and a new cardiac murmur has retinal haemorrhages with white centres. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Infective endocarditis

Roth spots are retinal haemorrhages with pale centres seen in bacterial endocarditis, but they also occur in anaemia and leukaemia. The white centre is thought to be fibrin or inflammatory cells.

Option by option

  • A. Infective endocarditis (correct)

    Correct. Roth spots are a recognised sign of endocarditis.

  • B. Hypertensive crisis only

    Hypertensive retinopathy gives flame haemorrhages and exudates.

  • C. Toxoplasmosis

    Toxoplasmosis gives a focal necrotising lesion.

  • D. Central retinal artery occlusion

    CRAO has a pale retina.

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.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is A, Infective endocarditis. Roth spots are retinal haemorrhages with pale centres seen in bacterial endocarditis, but they also occur in anaemia and leukaemia.

Why is "Hypertensive crisis only" not the answer?

Hypertensive retinopathy gives flame haemorrhages and exudates.

Why is "Toxoplasmosis" not the answer?

Toxoplasmosis gives a focal necrotising lesion.

Why is "Central retinal artery occlusion" not the answer?

CRAO has a pale retina.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: Roth spots in Ophthalmology. The white centre is thought to be fibrin or inflammatory cells.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Retina: Roth spots?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.