Dermatology Practice Questions
Dermatology tests topical steroid adverse effects, erythema multiforme, scabies diagnosis, and guttate psoriasis. These four sample questions come from MediLingo's bank of 3,900+ questions across 21 specialties.
Sample questions
Question 1
A patient has used potent topical corticosteroids on the same skin for months. Which local adverse effect is most expected?
a) Permanent hyperpigmentation
b) Drug-induced lupus
c) Cataracts only
d) Skin atrophy and striae ✓ Correct
Key teaching point: Chronic potent topical steroids = skin atrophy and striae.
Question 2
A week after a cold sore, a young adult develops symmetric target lesions with dusky centers on the hands and forearms, without mucosal involvement. What is the diagnosis and most common trigger?
a) Urticaria triggered by food
b) Vasculitis triggered by hepatitis
c) Erythema nodosum triggered by strep
d) Erythema multiforme triggered by HSV ✓ Correct
Key teaching point: Target lesions after a cold sore = erythema multiforme (HSV trigger).
Question 3
A patient has intense itching worse at night, with thin burrows in the finger webs, wrists, and waistline. Several household members itch as well. What is the diagnosis?
a) Atopic dermatitis
b) Scabies ✓ Correct
c) Dermatitis herpetiformis
d) Lichen planus
Key teaching point: Nocturnal itch + burrows in finger webs = scabies.
Question 4
Two weeks after streptococcal pharyngitis, a 14-year-old develops dozens of small drop-like scaly papules on the trunk. Throat culture is now negative. What is the diagnosis and trigger?
a) Pityriasis rosea triggered by HHV-6
b) Lichen planus triggered by hepatitis C
c) Nummular eczema triggered by dry skin
d) Guttate psoriasis triggered by streptococcal infection ✓ Correct
Key teaching point: Drop-like scaly papules after strep throat = guttate psoriasis.
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