Nail disorders: 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 · Nail disorders

Sample item

Which office test can support a clinical suspicion of onychomycosis before systemic antifungal treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Potassium hydroxide microscopy of nail scrapings

Potassium hydroxide microscopy of nail scrapings can demonstrate fungal elements and supports the diagnosis of onychomycosis before exposing a patient to prolonged systemic antifungal therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Electrocardiogram

    An ECG assesses cardiac rhythm and conduction.

  • B. Peak flow measurement

    Peak flow measures expiratory airflow in respiratory disease.

  • C. Urine dipstick

    Urine dipsticks evaluate urinary findings, not nail fungi.

  • D. Potassium hydroxide microscopy of nail scrapings (correct)

    Correct: KOH microscopy can reveal fungal hyphae in nail material.

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 D, Potassium hydroxide microscopy of nail scrapings. Potassium hydroxide microscopy of nail scrapings can demonstrate fungal elements and supports the diagnosis of onychomycosis before exposing a patient to prolonged systemic antifungal therapy.

Why is "Electrocardiogram" not the answer?

An ECG assesses cardiac rhythm and conduction.

Why is "Peak flow measurement" not the answer?

Peak flow measures expiratory airflow in respiratory disease.

Why is "Urine dipstick" not the answer?

Urine dipsticks evaluate urinary findings, not nail fungi.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nail disorders in Dermatology. The correct option holds because: Correct: KOH microscopy can reveal fungal hyphae in nail material.

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 Nail disorders?

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.