Cell injury and adaptation: argyria: practice question

A Pathology 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

Pathology · Cell injury and adaptation: argyria

Sample item

A man who used silver-containing nasal drops for years has diffuse slate-grey skin discolouration, worse in sun-exposed areas. What is the nature of the discolouration?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Deposition of silver granules in the dermis

Argyria is an exogenous pigmentation caused by silver salts deposited in the dermis, around sweat glands and in elastic fibres. Sunlight enhances the grey-blue tint. It is permanent and not treated by stopping exposure alone.

Option by option

  • A. Deposition of silver granules in the dermis (correct)

    Correct. Silver deposits in the dermis cause the slate-grey colour.

  • B. Increased epidermal melanin from melanocyte hyperplasia

    Melanin hyperplasia gives brown, not slate-grey, pigmentation, and is not related to silver.

  • C. Haemosiderin from chronic venous stasis

    Haemosiderin from venous stasis affects the lower legs, not generalised skin.

  • D. Carotene accumulation in the stratum corneum

    Carotene causes orange-yellow skin, usually from dietary excess.

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 Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, Deposition of silver granules in the dermis. Argyria is an exogenous pigmentation caused by silver salts deposited in the dermis, around sweat glands and in elastic fibres.

Why is "Increased epidermal melanin from melanocyte hyperplasia" not the answer?

Melanin hyperplasia gives brown, not slate-grey, pigmentation, and is not related to silver.

Why is "Haemosiderin from chronic venous stasis" not the answer?

Haemosiderin from venous stasis affects the lower legs, not generalised skin.

Why is "Carotene accumulation in the stratum corneum" not the answer?

Carotene causes orange-yellow skin, usually from dietary excess.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury and adaptation: argyria in Pathology. Sunlight enhances the grey-blue tint. It is permanent and not treated by stopping exposure alone.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Cell injury and adaptation: argyria?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.