Connective tissue disease: discoid lupus: 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 · Connective tissue disease: discoid lupus

Sample item

A woman has well-defined erythematous plaques on the face and scalp with adherent scale, follicular plugging and atrophic scarring. The ANA is negative. Which investigation supports the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lupus band test showing immunoglobulin and C3 at the dermoepidermal junction in lesional skin

Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus causes scarring plaques, and a positive lupus band test in lesional skin supports it. Treatment is sun protection, topical or intralesional steroids and hydroxychloroquine.

Option by option

  • A. Potassium hydroxide mount

    KOH detects fungi, not lupus.

  • B. Urine uroporphyrin level

    Uroporphyrin is raised in porphyria.

  • C. Lupus band test showing immunoglobulin and C3 at the dermoepidermal junction in lesional skin (correct)

    Correct. Lesional skin shows a band of immunoglobulin and complement.

  • D. Patch test

    Patch tests detect contact allergy.

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 C, Lupus band test showing immunoglobulin and C3 at the dermoepidermal junction in lesional skin. Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus causes scarring plaques, and a positive lupus band test in lesional skin supports it.

Why is "Potassium hydroxide mount" not the answer?

KOH detects fungi, not lupus.

Why is "Urine uroporphyrin level" not the answer?

Uroporphyrin is raised in porphyria.

Why is "Patch test" not the answer?

Patch tests detect contact allergy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Connective tissue disease: discoid lupus in Dermatology. Treatment is sun protection, topical or intralesional steroids and hydroxychloroquine.

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 Connective tissue disease: discoid lupus?

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.