Viral infections: Hutchinson sign in zoster ophthalmicus: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Viral infections: Hutchinson sign in zoster ophthalmicus

Sample item

A 70-year-old has painful vesicles over the left forehead and a vesicle on the tip of the nose. What is the most important management step in addition to oral valacyclovir?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Urgent ophthalmology evaluation

Vesicles at the tip or side of the nose (Hutchinson sign) indicate nasociliary nerve involvement and predict ocular involvement in herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Ocular complications such as keratitis and uveitis can threaten vision, so early ophthalmology assessment is needed. Antivirals should start within 72 hours of rash onset.

Option by option

  • A. Observation for 2 weeks

    Waiting risks vision-threatening complications.

  • B. Urgent ophthalmology evaluation (correct)

    Correct. Hutchinson sign signals ocular risk, so urgent eye review is needed.

  • C. Topical steroid only

    Topical steroids alone do not treat zoster.

  • D. Dermatology review after the rash heals

    Delayed review misses the window for early eye care.

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.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, Urgent ophthalmology evaluation. Vesicles at the tip or side of the nose (Hutchinson sign) indicate nasociliary nerve involvement and predict ocular involvement in herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Why is "Observation for 2 weeks" not the answer?

Waiting risks vision-threatening complications.

Why is "Topical steroid only" not the answer?

Topical steroids alone do not treat zoster.

Why is "Dermatology review after the rash heals" not the answer?

Delayed review misses the window for early eye care.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Viral infections: Hutchinson sign in zoster ophthalmicus in Dermatology. Ocular complications such as keratitis and uveitis can threaten vision, so early ophthalmology assessment is needed. Antivirals should start within 72 hours of rash onset.

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 Viral infections: Hutchinson sign in zoster ophthalmicus?

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.