Papulosquamous disorders: sun-protected pityriasis rosea: 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: sun-protected pityriasis rosea

Sample item

A 22-year-old has an oval pink scaly plaque on the chest, followed a week later by smaller oval lesions arranged along skin cleavage lines on the trunk. Palms and soles are spared. Which test is most useful to exclude a close mimic?

ASkin cultureBHBsAgCVDRLDANA

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. VDRL

Pityriasis rosea is a self-limited eruption with a herald patch. Secondary syphilis can mimic it, so VDRL is important, especially in a sexually active patient or if palms and soles are involved.

Option by option

A. Skin culture
A skin culture would show only commensals and is not diagnostic.
B. HBsAg
HBsAg screens for hepatitis B, which causes Gianotti-Crosti in children rather than this pattern.
C. VDRL (correct)
Correct. VDRL excludes secondary syphilis, the key mimic.
D. ANA
ANA is a screening test for lupus, not a mimic of this eruption.

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 C, VDRL. Pityriasis rosea is a self-limited eruption with a herald patch.

Why is "Skin culture" not the answer?

A skin culture would show only commensals and is not diagnostic.

Why is "HBsAg" not the answer?

HBsAg screens for hepatitis B, which causes Gianotti-Crosti in children rather than this pattern.

Why is "ANA" not the answer?

ANA is a screening test for lupus, not a mimic of this eruption.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: sun-protected pityriasis rosea in Dermatology. Secondary syphilis can mimic it, so VDRL is important, especially in a sexually active patient or if palms and soles are involved.

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: sun-protected pityriasis rosea?

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.