Drug reactions: fluorouracil supravenous pigmentation: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Drug reactions: fluorouracil supravenous pigmentation

Sample item

A woman receiving an infusional regimen of fluorouracil develops dark linear bands over the veins used for the infusion. What is this called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation

Fluorouracil can cause hyperpigmentation tracking along veins, called serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation. It fades slowly after treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation (correct)

    Correct. Linear pigmentation over infused veins is serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation.

  • B. Flagellate erythema

    Flagellate erythema is typical of bleomycin and follows scratching.

  • C. Livedo reticularis

    Livedo reticularis is a net-like violaceous pattern from vascular changes.

  • D. Acral erythema

    Acral erythema gives painful redness of palms and soles.

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.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation. Fluorouracil can cause hyperpigmentation tracking along veins, called serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation.

Why is "Flagellate erythema" not the answer?

Flagellate erythema is typical of bleomycin and follows scratching.

Why is "Livedo reticularis" not the answer?

Livedo reticularis is a net-like violaceous pattern from vascular changes.

Why is "Acral erythema" not the answer?

Acral erythema gives painful redness of palms and soles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drug reactions: fluorouracil supravenous pigmentation in Dermatology. It fades slowly after treatment.

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: fluorouracil supravenous pigmentation?

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.