Drug reactions: drug-induced lupus: 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 · Drug reactions: drug-induced lupus

Sample item

A man on hydralazine for hypertension develops arthralgia, fever and a positive ANA with antibodies to histones, but anti-dsDNA is negative. What is expected after stopping the drug?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Resolution of symptoms over weeks to months

Hydralazine, procainamide and isoniazid can cause drug-induced lupus with antihistone antibodies, and renal and central nervous system involvement are uncommon. Symptoms resolve over weeks to months after withdrawal. Anti-dsDNA is typically absent, unlike idiopathic SLE.

Option by option

  • A. Resolution of symptoms over weeks to months (correct)

    Correct. Drug-induced lupus usually resolves after stopping the drug.

  • B. Need for lifelong cyclophosphamide

    Immunosuppression is rarely needed.

  • C. Progressive lupus nephritis

    Nephritis is uncommon in drug-induced lupus.

  • D. Permanent central nervous system lupus

    CNS disease is rare.

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, Resolution of symptoms over weeks to months. Hydralazine, procainamide and isoniazid can cause drug-induced lupus with antihistone antibodies, and renal and central nervous system involvement are uncommon.

Why is "Need for lifelong cyclophosphamide" not the answer?

Immunosuppression is rarely needed.

Why is "Progressive lupus nephritis" not the answer?

Nephritis is uncommon in drug-induced lupus.

Why is "Permanent central nervous system lupus" not the answer?

CNS disease is rare.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drug reactions: drug-induced lupus in Dermatology. Symptoms resolve over weeks to months after withdrawal. Anti-dsDNA is typically absent, unlike idiopathic SLE.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Drug reactions: drug-induced lupus?

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.