Viral infection: 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 · Viral infection

Sample item

What is typical of herpes zoster?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Painful dermatomal vesicles

Herpes zoster reflects reactivation of varicella-zoster virus in a sensory ganglion, causing painful grouped vesicles in a unilateral dermatomal distribution.

Option by option

  • A. Painful dermatomal vesicles (correct)

    Correct: unilateral painful dermatomal vesicles fit zoster.

  • B. Diffuse petechiae

    Diffuse petechiae indicate bleeding into skin rather than zoster.

  • C. Symmetric dry scaling

    Symmetric dry scale suggests eczema or ichthyosis.

  • D. Painless alopecia

    Painless alopecia is not the usual zoster presentation.

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, Painful dermatomal vesicles. Herpes zoster reflects reactivation of varicella-zoster virus in a sensory ganglion, causing painful grouped vesicles in a unilateral dermatomal distribution.

Why is "Diffuse petechiae" not the answer?

Diffuse petechiae indicate bleeding into skin rather than zoster.

Why is "Symmetric dry scaling" not the answer?

Symmetric dry scale suggests eczema or ichthyosis.

Why is "Painless alopecia" not the answer?

Painless alopecia is not the usual zoster presentation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Viral infection in Dermatology. The correct option holds because: Correct: unilateral painful dermatomal vesicles fit zoster.

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 Viral infection?

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.