Drug reactions: toxic epidermal necrolysis: 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 · Drug reactions: toxic epidermal necrolysis

Sample item

How is toxic epidermal necrolysis distinguished from Stevens-Johnson syndrome by extent of body surface area detachment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Detachment over more than 30 percent of body surface

SJS involves less than 10 percent BSA detachment, overlap SJS/TEN 10 to 30 percent and TEN more than 30 percent. SCORTEN uses age, malignancy, heart rate, BSA, urea, glucose and bicarbonate to predict mortality.

Option by option

  • A. Detachment of exactly 15 percent only

    10 to 30 percent is overlap SJS/TEN.

  • B. Detachment over less than 10 percent

    Less than 10 percent defines SJS.

  • C. Detachment over more than 30 percent of body surface (correct)

    Correct. More than 30 percent defines TEN.

  • D. Detachment limited to the oral mucosa

    Mucosal-only disease is not TEN.

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, Detachment over more than 30 percent of body surface. SJS involves less than 10 percent BSA detachment, overlap SJS/TEN 10 to 30 percent and TEN more than 30 percent.

Why is "Detachment of exactly 15 percent only" not the answer?

10 to 30 percent is overlap SJS/TEN.

Why is "Detachment over less than 10 percent" not the answer?

Less than 10 percent defines SJS.

Why is "Detachment limited to the oral mucosa" not the answer?

Mucosal-only disease is not TEN.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drug reactions: toxic epidermal necrolysis in Dermatology. SCORTEN uses age, malignancy, heart rate, BSA, urea, glucose and bicarbonate to predict mortality.

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 Drug reactions: toxic epidermal necrolysis?

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.