Rheumatology: dermatomyositis: practice question

A General Medicine 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

General Medicine · Rheumatology: dermatomyositis

Sample item

A patient has symmetrical proximal muscle weakness, heliotrope rash, and Gottron papules. What diagnosis is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis combines inflammatory myopathy with characteristic skin features, including heliotrope rash and Gottron papules. Adults need age-appropriate evaluation for associated malignancy.

Option by option

  • A. Systemic sclerosis

    Systemic sclerosis causes skin tightening and Raynaud phenomenon.

  • B. Dermatomyositis (correct)

    Correct. The skin findings with proximal weakness are classic.

  • C. Polymyalgia rheumatica

    PMR causes stiffness and pain without true muscle weakness or rash.

  • D. Osteoarthritis

    Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis combines inflammatory myopathy with characteristic skin features, including heliotrope rash and Gottron papules.

Why is "Systemic sclerosis" not the answer?

Systemic sclerosis causes skin tightening and Raynaud phenomenon.

Why is "Polymyalgia rheumatica" not the answer?

PMR causes stiffness and pain without true muscle weakness or rash.

Why is "Osteoarthritis" not the answer?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: dermatomyositis in General Medicine. Adults need age-appropriate evaluation for associated malignancy.

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 Rheumatology: dermatomyositis?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.