Pigment disorders: 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 · Pigment disorders

Sample item

A patient develops sharply demarcated white patches because melanocytes are lost; which pigment disorder is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acquired loss of skin pigmentation from melanocyte loss

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder in which melanocytes are lost, producing sharply demarcated pale or white patches.

Option by option

  • A. A bruise caused by platelet loss

    A bruise results from blood extravasation, not melanocyte loss.

  • B. A bacterial infection of hair follicles

    Follicular bacterial infection is folliculitis.

  • C. A fungal infection of the nail

    Nail fungus is onychomycosis.

  • D. Acquired loss of skin pigmentation from melanocyte loss (correct)

    Correct: melanocyte loss causes depigmented patches.

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 D, Acquired loss of skin pigmentation from melanocyte loss. Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder in which melanocytes are lost, producing sharply demarcated pale or white patches.

Why is "A bruise caused by platelet loss" not the answer?

A bruise results from blood extravasation, not melanocyte loss.

Why is "A bacterial infection of hair follicles" not the answer?

Follicular bacterial infection is folliculitis.

Why is "A fungal infection of the nail" not the answer?

Nail fungus is onychomycosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigment disorders in Dermatology. The correct option holds because: Correct: melanocyte loss causes depigmented patches.

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 Pigment disorders?

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.