Leprosy: plantar ulcer care: 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: plantar ulcer care

Sample item

A patient has a painless ulcer on the plantar surface of the forefoot caused by repeated trauma on an insensitive foot. What is the key principle of management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Offloading with rest and protective footwear, with wound care

Neuropathic plantar ulcers heal only when pressure is removed, so rest, protective microcellular rubber footwear, debridement, dressing and treatment of infection are needed. Patient education on daily foot inspection prevents recurrence.

Option by option

  • A. Weight-bearing exercises on the ulcer

    Walking on the ulcer perpetuates damage.

  • B. Offloading with rest and protective footwear, with wound care (correct)

    Correct. Offloading and footwear allow healing.

  • C. Long-term oral steroids

    Steroids impair healing.

  • D. Application of occlusive hot compresses

    Hot compresses can burn insensitive skin.

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 B, Offloading with rest and protective footwear, with wound care. Neuropathic plantar ulcers heal only when pressure is removed, so rest, protective microcellular rubber footwear, debridement, dressing and treatment of infection are needed.

Why is "Weight-bearing exercises on the ulcer" not the answer?

Walking on the ulcer perpetuates damage.

Why is "Long-term oral steroids" not the answer?

Steroids impair healing.

Why is "Application of occlusive hot compresses" not the answer?

Hot compresses can burn insensitive skin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Leprosy: plantar ulcer care in Dermatology. Patient education on daily foot inspection prevents recurrence.

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: plantar ulcer care?

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.