STI: treatment of syphilis: 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 · STI: treatment of syphilis

Sample item

What is the recommended treatment of early (primary) syphilis in a nonpregnant adult?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units IM single dose

A single intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units is the standard for primary, secondary and early latent syphilis. Late latent disease needs three weekly doses.

Option by option

  • A. Ceftriaxone 250 mg single dose only

    Single dose ceftriaxone is not standard first-line therapy.

  • B. Azithromycin 1 g weekly for 3 weeks

    Azithromycin has documented resistance and is not first-line.

  • C. Benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units IM single dose (correct)

    Correct. A single benzathine penicillin dose cures early syphilis.

  • D. Procaine penicillin orally for 7 days

    Oral penicillins are not used for syphilis.

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 C, Benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units IM single dose. A single intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin G 2.

Why is "Ceftriaxone 250 mg single dose only" not the answer?

Single dose ceftriaxone is not standard first-line therapy.

Why is "Azithromycin 1 g weekly for 3 weeks" not the answer?

Azithromycin has documented resistance and is not first-line.

Why is "Procaine penicillin orally for 7 days" not the answer?

Oral penicillins are not used for syphilis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: treatment of syphilis in Dermatology. 4 million units is the standard for primary, secondary and early latent syphilis. Late latent disease needs three weekly doses.

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 STI: treatment of syphilis?

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.