Cardiology: ASD: 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: ASD

Sample item

A 5-year-old has a systolic ejection murmur at the left upper sternal edge and a wide, fixed split of the second heart sound. What is the likely lesion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ostium secundum atrial septal defect

A wide fixed split of S2 is a characteristic finding in ASD because of equalised right and left atrial pressures across the respiratory cycle. The pulmonary flow murmur and a mid-diastolic tricuspid flow murmur may be heard. ECG shows an rSR pattern in V1.

Option by option

  • A. Patent ductus arteriosus

    PDA gives a continuous machinery murmur.

  • B. Ventricular septal defect

    VSD gives a pansystolic murmur at the left lower sternal edge.

  • C. Ostium secundum atrial septal defect (correct)

    Correct. Fixed splitting indicates ASD.

  • D. Aortic stenosis

    Aortic stenosis gives a murmur at the right upper sternal edge.

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 C, Ostium secundum atrial septal defect. A wide fixed split of S2 is a characteristic finding in ASD because of equalised right and left atrial pressures across the respiratory cycle.

Why is "Patent ductus arteriosus" not the answer?

PDA gives a continuous machinery murmur.

Why is "Ventricular septal defect" not the answer?

VSD gives a pansystolic murmur at the left lower sternal edge.

Why is "Aortic stenosis" not the answer?

Aortic stenosis gives a murmur at the right upper sternal edge.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: ASD in Pediatrics. The pulmonary flow murmur and a mid-diastolic tricuspid flow murmur may be heard. ECG shows an rSR pattern in V1.

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: ASD?

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.