Papulosquamous disorders: iron deficiency and generalised itch: 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 · Papulosquamous disorders: iron deficiency and generalised itch

Sample item

A 30-year-old woman has generalised itch for 3 months with no rash apart from scratch marks. She is pale and has koilonychia and angular stomatitis. What is the best initial investigation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Complete blood count with serum ferritin

Iron deficiency is a recognised cause of generalised itch, and the pallor, koilonychia and angular stomatitis point to it. A blood count and ferritin are the first tests, and itch improves with iron replacement.

Option by option

  • A. Skin biopsy for immunofluorescence

    Immunofluorescence evaluates blistering disease, which has primary blisters and not just excoriations.

  • B. Complete blood count with serum ferritin (correct)

    Correct. Blood count and ferritin confirm iron deficiency as a systemic cause of itch.

  • C. Liver ultrasound

    Liver ultrasound looks for obstructive causes of itch that do not explain koilonychia and angular stomatitis.

  • D. Skin scraping for Sarcoptes

    A scabies scraping looks for mites, but the clinical clues here do not suggest scabies.

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 B, Complete blood count with serum ferritin. Iron deficiency is a recognised cause of generalised itch, and the pallor, koilonychia and angular stomatitis point to it.

Why is "Skin biopsy for immunofluorescence" not the answer?

Immunofluorescence evaluates blistering disease, which has primary blisters and not just excoriations.

Why is "Liver ultrasound" not the answer?

Liver ultrasound looks for obstructive causes of itch that do not explain koilonychia and angular stomatitis.

Why is "Skin scraping for Sarcoptes" not the answer?

A scabies scraping looks for mites, but the clinical clues here do not suggest scabies.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: iron deficiency and generalised itch in Dermatology. A blood count and ferritin are the first tests, and itch improves with iron replacement.

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 Papulosquamous disorders: iron deficiency and generalised itch?

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.