Infections: plantar wart versus corn: 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 · Infections: plantar wart versus corn

Sample item

Paring a painful plantar lesion shows pinpoint black dots and interruption of skin lines. Which diagnosis is supported?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Plantar wart

Plantar warts, caused by HPV, show thrombosed capillaries as black dots after paring and disrupt the normal dermatoglyphics. Corns have a translucent central core and keep skin lines. Pain on lateral squeezing suggests a wart and pain on direct pressure suggests a corn.

Option by option

  • A. Corn

    A corn has a translucent core and preserved skin lines.

  • B. Plantar psoriasis

    Plantar psoriasis shows scaly plaques.

  • C. Plantar wart (correct)

    Correct. Black dots and loss of skin lines point to a wart.

  • D. Callus

    A callus is diffuse thickening with preserved lines.

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 C, Plantar wart. Plantar warts, caused by HPV, show thrombosed capillaries as black dots after paring and disrupt the normal dermatoglyphics.

Why is "Corn" not the answer?

A corn has a translucent core and preserved skin lines.

Why is "Plantar psoriasis" not the answer?

Plantar psoriasis shows scaly plaques.

Why is "Callus" not the answer?

A callus is diffuse thickening with preserved lines.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: plantar wart versus corn in Dermatology. Corns have a translucent central core and keep skin lines. Pain on lateral squeezing suggests a wart and pain on direct pressure suggests a corn.

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 Infections: plantar wart versus corn?

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.