skip to main content

Infective endocarditis — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardFeverInfective endocarditisMCCQE Part 1

A 39-year-old man who injects drugs has fever, pleuritic chest pain, a new systolic murmur and septic pulmonary emboli. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Obtain multiple blood cultures and start empiric intravenous antibiotics after cultures

Obtain multiple blood cultures and start empiric intravenous antibiotics after cultures is the single best answer because the age, timing, examination findings and investigations in the vignette fit Infective endocarditis better than the alternatives. The most tempting distractor is less appropriate because it either treats a neighbouring presentation, delays a time-critical intervention, or ignores a key discriminator in the stem. The remaining options are suboptimal because they would miss the diagnosis, use an investigation or treatment in the wrong sequence, or fail to address safety and follow-up. Canadian practice should be anchored to AMMI Canada endocarditis guidance, with attention to acuity, safety-netting and local provincial pathways.

Reference: AMMI Canada endocarditis guidance