Infections: scurvy: 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 · Infections: scurvy

Sample item

A malnourished man has perifollicular haemorrhages with corkscrew hairs, swollen bleeding gums and poor wound healing. Which deficiency is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Vitamin C

Scurvy results from vitamin C deficiency, which impairs hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen, leading to perifollicular haemorrhage, corkscrew hairs and bleeding gums. Vitamin K deficiency gives bleeding with deranged coagulation. Treatment is vitamin C replacement.

Option by option

  • A. Vitamin K

    Vitamin K deficiency prolongs prothrombin time but spares collagen.

  • B. Vitamin A

    Vitamin A deficiency causes follicular hyperkeratosis and night blindness.

  • C. Vitamin B12

    B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anaemia and glossitis.

  • D. Vitamin C (correct)

    Correct. Corkscrew hairs and perifollicular bleeding indicate vitamin C deficiency.

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, Vitamin C. Scurvy results from vitamin C deficiency, which impairs hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen, leading to perifollicular haemorrhage, corkscrew hairs and bleeding gums.

Why is "Vitamin K" not the answer?

Vitamin K deficiency prolongs prothrombin time but spares collagen.

Why is "Vitamin A" not the answer?

Vitamin A deficiency causes follicular hyperkeratosis and night blindness.

Why is "Vitamin B12" not the answer?

B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anaemia and glossitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: scurvy in Dermatology. Vitamin K deficiency gives bleeding with deranged coagulation. Treatment is vitamin C 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 Infections: scurvy?

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.