EXAM Practice Questions & Answers |
Comprehensive Board Review Study Guide 3
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Maximize your board review efficiency and pass the American Board of
Pediatrics subspecialty test with this targeted Pediatric Cardiology
certification practice exam. This high-yield resource features
comprehensive clinical questions covering congenital heart disease,
arrhythmias, pharmacology, and advanced cardiac imaging. It is an
indispensable tool for pediatric cardiology fellows and practicing physicians
seeking board certification or maintenance of certification (MOC).
1. A 6-month-old infant with a large VSD and failure to thrive is being
evaluated for surgical closure. Which of the following is the most
important preoperative assessment?
A) Pulmonary vascular resistance
B) Left ventricular function
C) Aortic valve morphology
D) Tricuspid valve function
Answer: A
Rationale: Preoperative assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance is
essential to determine the reversibility of pulmonary hypertension and to
guide surgical decision-making .
,2. A 2-year-old child with Tetralogy of Fallot s/p repair presents with
progressive exercise intolerance and a new diastolic murmur. Which of
the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Pulmonary insufficiency
B) Aortic insufficiency
C) Mitral stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary insufficiency is the most common finding after
tetralogy of Fallot repair, often presenting with exercise intolerance and a
diastolic murmur .
3. A newborn with a prenatal diagnosis of a large VSD is noted to have
a murmur. Which of the following findings on physical examination is
most consistent with a large VSD?
A) Holosystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border
B) Continuous murmur at the left upper sternal border
C) Diastolic murmur at the apex
D) Systolic ejection murmur at the right upper sternal border
*Answer: A
Rationale: A large VSD typically presents with a holosystolic murmur at the
left lower sternal border, often accompanied by a thrill .
4. A 4-year-old child with a history of repaired VSD is being evaluated
for a new murmur. Which of the following is most likely?
,A) Aortic insufficiency
B) Pulmonary insufficiency
C) Mitral stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
*Answer: A
Rationale: Aortic insufficiency is a known complication after VSD repair due
to aortic valve prolapse .
5. A 1-month-old infant with a VSD and pulmonary hypertension is
being evaluated for surgical closure. Which of the following is a
contraindication to closure?
A) Eisenmenger syndrome
B) Pulmonary hypertension
C) Failure to thrive
D) Congestive heart failure
*Answer: A
Rationale: Eisenmenger syndrome is a contraindication to surgical closure of
a VSD because the shunt is now right-to-left .
6. A 3-year-old child with Down syndrome and an AVSD is being
evaluated for a murmur. Which of the following is the most
appropriate management?
A) Surgical repair
B) Medical management
C) Transcatheter closure
D) Observation
, *Answer: A
Rationale: Surgical repair is indicated for AVSD to prevent pulmonary
hypertension .
7. A 5-day-old infant with a murmur and a chest x-ray showing a
"snowman sign" is diagnosed with:
A) Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
B) Transposition of the Great Arteries
C) Truncus Arteriosus
D) Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
*Answer: A
Rationale: The "snowman sign" on chest x-ray is characteristic of
supracardiac Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return .
8. A 2-week-old infant with a large VSD and congestive heart failure is
on digoxin. Which of the following is a sign of digoxin toxicity?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Visual disturbances
C) Cardiac arrhythmias
D) All of the above
*Answer: D
Rationale: All of these are signs of digoxin toxicity .