Papulosquamous disorders: delusional infestation: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Papulosquamous disorders: delusional infestation

Sample item

A 60-year-old brings a matchbox of skin debris to prove he is infested with worms. Examination shows only excoriations and no parasites. Which drug class is used if he accepts treatment?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Low-dose atypical antipsychotic such as risperidone, or pimozide

Delusional infestation, or delusional parasitosis, is a fixed false belief of infestation, often with the matchbox sign. Low-dose antipsychotics such as pimozide or newer agents like risperidone are used, with a trusting relationship. Repeated antiparasitic treatment reinforces the belief.

Option by option

  • A. Low-dose atypical antipsychotic such as risperidone, or pimozide (correct)

    Correct. Low-dose antipsychotics are the treatment.

  • B. High-dose benzodiazepines

    Benzodiazepines do not treat delusions.

  • C. Topical permethrin repeatedly

    Permethrin reinforces the delusion.

  • D. Oral ivermectin repeated monthly

    Ivermectin does not treat an absent infestation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Low-dose atypical antipsychotic such as risperidone, or pimozide. Delusional infestation, or delusional parasitosis, is a fixed false belief of infestation, often with the matchbox sign.

Why is "High-dose benzodiazepines" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines do not treat delusions.

Why is "Topical permethrin repeatedly" not the answer?

Permethrin reinforces the delusion.

Why is "Oral ivermectin repeated monthly" not the answer?

Ivermectin does not treat an absent infestation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: delusional infestation in Dermatology. Low-dose antipsychotics such as pimozide or newer agents like risperidone are used, with a trusting relationship. Repeated antiparasitic treatment reinforces the belief.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Papulosquamous disorders: delusional infestation?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.