HIV: giant molluscum contagiosum: 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 · HIV: giant molluscum contagiosum

Sample item

A 30-year-old man has dozens of large, umbilicated papules up to 1 cm on the face and neck, some coalescing. What should be done in addition to treating the lesions?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Offer HIV testing

Extensive, large or facial molluscum contagiosum in an adult suggests cell-mediated immune deficiency and warrants HIV testing. Lesions in HIV are often resistant, and ART with immune recovery is the best treatment. Local therapies such as curettage or cryotherapy provide temporary benefit.

Option by option

  • A. Offer HIV testing (correct)

    Correct. Extensive molluscum in an adult should prompt HIV testing.

  • B. No investigation is needed

    Investigation is needed because the pattern signals immune deficiency.

  • C. Test only for hepatitis A

    Hepatitis A is not related.

  • D. Perform a lymph node biopsy

    Lymph node biopsy is not indicated.

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 A, Offer HIV testing. Extensive, large or facial molluscum contagiosum in an adult suggests cell-mediated immune deficiency and warrants HIV testing.

Why is "No investigation is needed" not the answer?

Investigation is needed because the pattern signals immune deficiency.

Why is "Test only for hepatitis A" not the answer?

Hepatitis A is not related.

Why is "Perform a lymph node biopsy" not the answer?

Lymph node biopsy is not indicated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests HIV: giant molluscum contagiosum in Dermatology. Lesions in HIV are often resistant, and ART with immune recovery is the best treatment. Local therapies such as curettage or cryotherapy provide temporary benefit.

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 HIV: giant molluscum contagiosum?

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.