STI: vaginal pH in common vaginitis: 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 · STI: vaginal pH in common vaginitis

Sample item

Which pair of vaginal infections characteristically raises the vaginal pH above 4.5?

ABacterial vaginosis and candidiasisBBacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasisCCandidiasis and trichomoniasisDCandidiasis alone

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis

In bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis the loss of lactobacilli raises the vaginal pH above 4.5. In vulvovaginal candidiasis the pH usually remains normal at 4 to 4.5.

Option by option

A. Bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis
Candidiasis does not raise the pH, so this pair is incorrect.
B. Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis (correct)
Correct. Loss of lactobacilli raises the pH in both bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.
C. Candidiasis and trichomoniasis
Candidiasis keeps a normal pH, so this pair is incorrect.
D. Candidiasis alone
Candidiasis maintains a normal acid pH.

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 B, Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. In bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis the loss of lactobacilli raises the vaginal pH above 4.

Why is "Bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis" not the answer?

Candidiasis does not raise the pH, so this pair is incorrect.

Why is "Candidiasis and trichomoniasis" not the answer?

Candidiasis keeps a normal pH, so this pair is incorrect.

Why is "Candidiasis alone" not the answer?

Candidiasis maintains a normal acid pH.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: vaginal pH in common vaginitis in Dermatology. 5. In vulvovaginal candidiasis the pH usually remains normal at 4 to 4.5.

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 STI: vaginal pH in common vaginitis?

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.