Page Contents
OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is infective endocarditis. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how infective endocarditis will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a tradition question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a disease is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for TOPIC.
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
A previously healthy 2 year old boy is brought to the emergency department because of a 5 day fever with a maximum temperature of 104.1°F. He visually appears ill. His temperature is 102.3°C, his pulse is 128 ppm, and blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg. On physical exam a grade 3/6 systolic murmur is heard at the left lower sternal border. He has no other past history or a murmur. The speed tip is palpated 4 cm below the level of the left costal margin. An echocardiogram and blood cultures are ordered for the patient. What diagnosis is the medical team trying to work up?
Explanation # 1
Fever + unstable vitals (i.e. sepsis) + new murmur = possible infective endocarditis
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
- Complications
- Glomerulonephritis: immune complexes can deposit int eh glomerular capillary wall.
Page Updated: 11.06.2016