Skin lesions: 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 · Skin lesions

Sample item

On examination, a patient has a small sharply circumscribed change in skin color that is completely flat and cannot be felt above the surrounding surface. What is this primary lesion called?

APapuleBAbscessCMaculeDVesicle

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Macule

A macule is a circumscribed area of altered color without palpable elevation or depression; freckles and early exanthem spots are common examples of this primary lesion.

Option by option

A. Papule
A papule is a raised, solid primary lesion.
B. Abscess
An abscess is a localized, deeper collection of pus.
C. Macule (correct)
Correct: a flat, nonpalpable color change is a macule.
D. Vesicle
A vesicle is a small lesion containing clear fluid.

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.

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Macule. A macule is a circumscribed area of altered color without palpable elevation or depression; freckles and early exanthem spots are common examples of this primary lesion.

Why is "Papule" not the answer?

A papule is a raised, solid primary lesion.

Why is "Abscess" not the answer?

An abscess is a localized, deeper collection of pus.

Why is "Vesicle" not the answer?

A vesicle is a small lesion containing clear fluid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin lesions in Dermatology. The correct option holds because: Correct: a flat, nonpalpable color change is a macule.

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 Skin lesions?

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.