Viral infections: postherpetic neuralgia: 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 · Viral infections: postherpetic neuralgia

Sample item

A 70-year-old has burning pain persisting in a thoracic dermatome 3 months after healed herpes zoster. Which drug is a first-line option?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Gabapentin or pregabalin

Postherpetic neuralgia is neuropathic pain that persists after zoster. First-line agents include gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants and topical lidocaine.

Option by option

  • A. Topical corticosteroid

    Topical steroids do not help neuropathic pain.

  • B. Paracetamol alone

    Paracetamol has poor efficacy in neuropathic pain.

  • C. Gabapentin or pregabalin (correct)

    Correct. Gabapentinoids treat neuropathic pain.

  • D. Oral acyclovir

    Acyclovir treats active viral replication, which is finished here.

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.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Gabapentin or pregabalin. Postherpetic neuralgia is neuropathic pain that persists after zoster.

Why is "Topical corticosteroid" not the answer?

Topical steroids do not help neuropathic pain.

Why is "Paracetamol alone" not the answer?

Paracetamol has poor efficacy in neuropathic pain.

Why is "Oral acyclovir" not the answer?

Acyclovir treats active viral replication, which is finished here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Viral infections: postherpetic neuralgia in Dermatology. First-line agents include gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants and topical lidocaine.

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 Viral infections: postherpetic neuralgia?

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.