ABP Pediatric Cardiology Certification
Examination Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A 2-year-old child presents with a harsh systolic murmur at the
left upper sternal border. The child has mild cyanosis and oxygen
saturation of 88%. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
a) Ventricular septal defect
b) Patent ductus arteriosus
c) Tetralogy of Fallot
d) Atrial septal defect
This presentation of cyanosis, harsh systolic murmur at the left
upper sternal border, and low oxygen saturation is classic for
Tetralogy of Fallot.
2. A newborn has a continuous “machinery” murmur and bounding
pulses. Which defect should be suspected?
a) Coarctation of the aorta
b) Patent ductus arteriosus
c) Atrial septal defect
d) Pulmonary stenosis
Continuous murmur and bounding pulses are hallmark features of
a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
3. Which congenital heart disease is most commonly associated with
Down syndrome?
a) Atrioventricular septal defect
, b) Tetralogy of Fallot
c) Transposition of the great arteries
d) Coarctation of the aorta
Atrioventricular septal defect is highly associated with trisomy 21.
4. A 6-month-old presents with failure to thrive, diaphoresis, and
tachypnea. Echocardiography shows a large left-to-right shunt at
the ventricular level. Which is the likely diagnosis?
a) Atrial septal defect
b) Ventricular septal defect
c) Patent ductus arteriosus
d) Coarctation of the aorta
Ventricular septal defects often present in infancy with heart
failure symptoms due to large left-to-right shunts.
5. A child presents with exertional syncope. ECG shows right
ventricular hypertrophy. Which congenital lesion should be
suspected?
a) Atrial septal defect
b) Coarctation of the aorta
c) Pulmonary stenosis
d) Patent ductus arteriosus
Exertional syncope with RVH suggests an obstructive lesion like
pulmonary stenosis.
6. A newborn is found to have cyanosis shortly after birth.
Prostaglandin E1 infusion improves oxygen saturation. Which
lesion is likely?
a) Ventricular septal defect
b) Ductal-dependent lesion
c) Atrial septal defect
d) Mitral stenosis
, Improvement with prostaglandin indicates a ductal-dependent
congenital heart lesion.
7. Which arrhythmia is most common in infants with Wolff-
Parkinson-White syndrome?
a) Ventricular tachycardia
b) Supraventricular tachycardia
c) Atrial fibrillation
d) Junctional escape rhythm
WPW in infants typically manifests as paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia.
8. A 3-year-old has a history of Kawasaki disease with coronary
aneurysms. What is the primary long-term concern?
a) Heart failure
b) Myocardial ischemia or infarction
c) Pulmonary hypertension
d) Arrhythmia
Coronary aneurysms from Kawasaki disease can lead to
thrombosis and myocardial infarction.
9. A 1-week-old neonate presents with tachypnea, hepatomegaly,
and poor feeding. Echocardiography shows coarctation of the
aorta with ductal-dependent systemic circulation. What is the
initial management?
a) Immediate surgical repair
b) Prostaglandin E1 infusion
c) Diuretics
d) Beta-blockers
Prostaglandin E1 maintains ductal patency until definitive surgical
repair.
Examination Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A 2-year-old child presents with a harsh systolic murmur at the
left upper sternal border. The child has mild cyanosis and oxygen
saturation of 88%. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
a) Ventricular septal defect
b) Patent ductus arteriosus
c) Tetralogy of Fallot
d) Atrial septal defect
This presentation of cyanosis, harsh systolic murmur at the left
upper sternal border, and low oxygen saturation is classic for
Tetralogy of Fallot.
2. A newborn has a continuous “machinery” murmur and bounding
pulses. Which defect should be suspected?
a) Coarctation of the aorta
b) Patent ductus arteriosus
c) Atrial septal defect
d) Pulmonary stenosis
Continuous murmur and bounding pulses are hallmark features of
a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
3. Which congenital heart disease is most commonly associated with
Down syndrome?
a) Atrioventricular septal defect
, b) Tetralogy of Fallot
c) Transposition of the great arteries
d) Coarctation of the aorta
Atrioventricular septal defect is highly associated with trisomy 21.
4. A 6-month-old presents with failure to thrive, diaphoresis, and
tachypnea. Echocardiography shows a large left-to-right shunt at
the ventricular level. Which is the likely diagnosis?
a) Atrial septal defect
b) Ventricular septal defect
c) Patent ductus arteriosus
d) Coarctation of the aorta
Ventricular septal defects often present in infancy with heart
failure symptoms due to large left-to-right shunts.
5. A child presents with exertional syncope. ECG shows right
ventricular hypertrophy. Which congenital lesion should be
suspected?
a) Atrial septal defect
b) Coarctation of the aorta
c) Pulmonary stenosis
d) Patent ductus arteriosus
Exertional syncope with RVH suggests an obstructive lesion like
pulmonary stenosis.
6. A newborn is found to have cyanosis shortly after birth.
Prostaglandin E1 infusion improves oxygen saturation. Which
lesion is likely?
a) Ventricular septal defect
b) Ductal-dependent lesion
c) Atrial septal defect
d) Mitral stenosis
, Improvement with prostaglandin indicates a ductal-dependent
congenital heart lesion.
7. Which arrhythmia is most common in infants with Wolff-
Parkinson-White syndrome?
a) Ventricular tachycardia
b) Supraventricular tachycardia
c) Atrial fibrillation
d) Junctional escape rhythm
WPW in infants typically manifests as paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia.
8. A 3-year-old has a history of Kawasaki disease with coronary
aneurysms. What is the primary long-term concern?
a) Heart failure
b) Myocardial ischemia or infarction
c) Pulmonary hypertension
d) Arrhythmia
Coronary aneurysms from Kawasaki disease can lead to
thrombosis and myocardial infarction.
9. A 1-week-old neonate presents with tachypnea, hepatomegaly,
and poor feeding. Echocardiography shows coarctation of the
aorta with ductal-dependent systemic circulation. What is the
initial management?
a) Immediate surgical repair
b) Prostaglandin E1 infusion
c) Diuretics
d) Beta-blockers
Prostaglandin E1 maintains ductal patency until definitive surgical
repair.
