Leprosy: management during reactions: 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 · Leprosy: management during reactions

Sample item

A patient on multidrug therapy develops painful nerve enlargement with new erythema over existing patches. What is the correct approach?

AStop MDT until the reaction subsidesBStop all treatment and give antibiotics onlyCBegin methotrexateDContinue MDT and add prednisolone with rest of the limb

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Continue MDT and add prednisolone with rest of the limb

Leprosy reactions are immunological episodes that need prompt corticosteroids to protect nerve function, and antileprosy treatment must be continued. Early treatment within 6 months of onset improves recovery of nerve function.

Option by option

A. Stop MDT until the reaction subsides
Stopping MDT lets the infection progress and does not stop the reaction.
B. Stop all treatment and give antibiotics only
Antibiotics alone do not treat the immune reaction.
C. Begin methotrexate
Methotrexate is not indicated.
D. Continue MDT and add prednisolone with rest of the limb (correct)
Correct. MDT continues while steroids control the reaction.

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 D, Continue MDT and add prednisolone with rest of the limb. Leprosy reactions are immunological episodes that need prompt corticosteroids to protect nerve function, and antileprosy treatment must be continued.

Why is "Stop MDT until the reaction subsides" not the answer?

Stopping MDT lets the infection progress and does not stop the reaction.

Why is "Stop all treatment and give antibiotics only" not the answer?

Antibiotics alone do not treat the immune reaction.

Why is "Begin methotrexate" not the answer?

Methotrexate is not indicated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: management during reactions in Dermatology. Early treatment within 6 months of onset improves recovery of nerve function.

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 Leprosy: management during reactions?

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.