Infestations: tungiasis: 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 · Infestations: tungiasis

Sample item

A child from a rural area has a white nodule with a central black dot on the sole, with surrounding itching. What is the cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tunga penetrans, the sand flea

The gravid female Tunga penetrans burrows into the skin of the feet and enlarges with eggs; the black dot is her abdomen opening. Treatment is sterile extraction with tetanus prophylaxis.

Option by option

  • A. Cimex lectularius

    Bed bugs bite exposed skin in lines and do not embed.

  • B. Tunga penetrans, the sand flea (correct)

    Correct. Embedded sand flea gives the typical nodule with black dot.

  • C. Dermatobia hominis

    Dermatobia hominis larvae cause furuncular myiasis.

  • D. Pediculus capitis

    Head lice live on scalp hair.

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 B, Tunga penetrans, the sand flea. The gravid female Tunga penetrans burrows into the skin of the feet and enlarges with eggs; the black dot is her abdomen opening.

Why is "Cimex lectularius" not the answer?

Bed bugs bite exposed skin in lines and do not embed.

Why is "Dermatobia hominis" not the answer?

Dermatobia hominis larvae cause furuncular myiasis.

Why is "Pediculus capitis" not the answer?

Head lice live on scalp hair.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infestations: tungiasis in Dermatology. Treatment is sterile extraction with tetanus prophylaxis.

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 Infestations: tungiasis?

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.