Pericarditis is most accurately described as which of the following?

Pericarditis is most accurately described as which of the following?

• A. Inflammation of the pericardial sac causing pleuritic chest pain that worsens with inspiration.
• B. Inflammation of the myocardium with viral symptoms.
• C. Inflammation of the pericardium with pleuritic chest pain relieved by leaning forward and a pericardial friction rub.
• D. Inflammation of the endocardium with vegetations.

Answer: (C)

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardial sac, and its hallmark symptom is sharp, pleuritic chest pain that often improves when you sit up and lean forward. The classic physical finding is a pericardial friction rub, produced by the inflamed pericardial layers sliding against each other. This combination—pericardial inflammation with pleuritic pain that eases when leaning forward plus a friction rub on auscultation—best captures the typical presentation. If we contrast with the other possibilities, myocarditis involves inflammation of the heart muscle itself and usually presents with viral-like symptoms and chest discomfort but not the pericardial friction rub or the distinctive position-related relief. Endocarditis affects the inner heart lining and valve structures, often with murmurs, fever, and systemic signs, rather than a pericardial friction rub and position-dependent pain relief.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardial sac, and its hallmark symptom is sharp, pleuritic chest pain that often improves when you sit up and lean forward. The classic physical finding is a pericardial friction rub, produced by the inflamed pericardial layers sliding against each other. This combination—pericardial inflammation with pleuritic pain that eases when leaning forward plus a friction rub on auscultation—best captures the typical presentation.

If we contrast with the other possibilities, myocarditis involves inflammation of the heart muscle itself and usually presents with viral-like symptoms and chest discomfort but not the pericardial friction rub or the distinctive position-related relief. Endocarditis affects the inner heart lining and valve structures, often with murmurs, fever, and systemic signs, rather than a pericardial friction rub and position-dependent pain relief.