Leprosy: monofilament testing: 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: monofilament testing

Sample item

At a leprosy clinic, a health worker wants a reproducible way to document early loss of light touch on the sole before ulcers develop. Which tool is best suited to this purpose?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments

Graded nylon monofilaments apply a standardised pressure, so loss of protective sensation can be recorded and followed over time. This is more reproducible than cotton wool or pin-prick.

Option by option

  • A. Tuning fork at 512 Hz only

    A 512 Hz tuning fork tests vibration, which is not the sense used here and is less standardised in leprosy follow-up.

  • B. Wisp of cotton wool only

    Cotton wool is a crude test that is not graded or reproducible.

  • C. Pin-prick only

    Pin-prick tests pain, can break the skin and is not graded.

  • D. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (correct)

    Correct. Graded monofilaments give standardised, reproducible measurements of touch sensation.

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 D, Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Graded nylon monofilaments apply a standardised pressure, so loss of protective sensation can be recorded and followed over time.

Why is "Tuning fork at 512 Hz only" not the answer?

A 512 Hz tuning fork tests vibration, which is not the sense used here and is less standardised in leprosy follow-up.

Why is "Wisp of cotton wool only" not the answer?

Cotton wool is a crude test that is not graded or reproducible.

Why is "Pin-prick only" not the answer?

Pin-prick tests pain, can break the skin and is not graded.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: monofilament testing in Dermatology. This is more reproducible than cotton wool or pin-prick.

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: monofilament testing?

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.