Pericarditis commonly presents with which symptom?

• A. Sharp sudden pleuritic pain with deep inspiration
• B. Chronic cough
• C. Shortness of breath during exertion
• D. Fever

Answer: (A)

Inflammation of the pericardium typically causes sharp, stabbing chest pain that is pleuritic in nature—meaning it worsens with deep inspiration and movement and often changes with position. This pain is classically sudden in onset and is typically relieved by sitting up and leaning forward. That makes the option describing sharp sudden pleuritic pain with deep inspiration the best match.

Fever can occur with pericarditis but is less specific, and shortness of breath or a chronic cough are not the defining features. By recognizing the characteristic pleuritic, positional chest pain, you’re capturing the hallmark presentation of pericarditis.