Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue: myocardial infarction histology: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue: myocardial infarction histology

Sample item

A man dies 5 days after an anterior myocardial infarction. Which histological finding is expected in the infarct at this time?

AMature collagenous scarBNecrotic myocytes with macrophages and early granulation at the edgesCWavy fibres with no inflammationDDense neutrophil infiltrate with early coagulation necrosis

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Necrotic myocytes with macrophages and early granulation at the edges

By day 3 to 7, macrophages clear dead muscle and granulation tissue begins at the margins. Neutrophils peak at 1 to 3 days, and scar forms after 2 months.

Option by option

A. Mature collagenous scar
Mature scar takes weeks to months to form.
B. Necrotic myocytes with macrophages and early granulation at the edges (correct)
Correct. Macrophage clearance with early granulation fits days 3 to 7.
C. Wavy fibres with no inflammation
Wavy fibres occur within the first 4 to 12 hours.
D. Dense neutrophil infiltrate with early coagulation necrosis
A heavy neutrophil infiltrate characterises days 1 to 3.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Necrotic myocytes with macrophages and early granulation at the edges. By day 3 to 7, macrophages clear dead muscle and granulation tissue begins at the margins.

Why is "Mature collagenous scar" not the answer?

Mature scar takes weeks to months to form.

Why is "Wavy fibres with no inflammation" not the answer?

Wavy fibres occur within the first 4 to 12 hours.

Why is "Dense neutrophil infiltrate with early coagulation necrosis" not the answer?

A heavy neutrophil infiltrate characterises days 1 to 3.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue: myocardial infarction histology in Pathology. Neutrophils peak at 1 to 3 days, and scar forms after 2 months.

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 Systemic pathology: cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, CNS, bone and soft tissue: myocardial infarction histology?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.