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Dermatology medical question bank

Practise every dermatology topic with explained SBAs.

Recall Engine has 600+ dermatology questions across 30+ topics. Every question explains each option.

questions
600+
topics
30+
topic notes
30+
clinical skills guides
6
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Dermatology by body system

Dermatology has 30+ topics. Each section shows how many questions it has and every topic it covers.

Skin

600+ questions across 30+ topics. It also has 30+ topic notes and 6 clinical skills guides.

  • Acne
  • Acne and hidradenitis suppurativa
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Bacterial skin infections: impetigo, boils, and cellulitis
  • Blistering diseases: recognition, tests, and treatment
  • Chronic itch: causes and work-up
  • Common skin lesions: diagnosis and management
  • Cutaneous lupus and dermatomyositis
  • Cutaneous neoplasia: keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer
  • Dermoscopy
  • Diabetes and metabolic skin findings
  • Eczema: clinical overview
  • Eczema: the spongiotic reaction pattern
  • Ethics in aesthetic dermatology
  • Hair disorders: the trichoscopy approach
  • Hair history
  • Lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, and psoriasis
  • Liver and kidney disease: skin signs
  • Molluscum contagiosum and viral warts
  • Non-melanocytic skin cancers
  • Patch test
  • Pattern hair loss: assessment and treatment
  • Psoriasis: types, triggers, and treatment choice
  • Rash distribution and purpura
  • Rosacea: features, triggers, and treatment
  • Scabies, lice, and cutaneous larva migrans
  • Skin barrier: functions and failure
  • Skin biopsy
  • Skin history
  • Skin lesions: description and examination
  • Skin manifestations in systemic diseases
  • Skin ulcers: clinical approach and management
  • Superficial fungal infections: tinea, versicolor, and candida
  • Systemic dermatology drugs: safety
  • Systemic sclerosis, morphoea, and cutaneous vasculitis
  • Thyroid disease: skin, hair, and nails
  • Trichoscopy
  • Urticaria

Dermatology sample questions

These 5 are published dermatology questions shown exactly as students see them. Open an answer to see why it is right and why every other option is wrong.

Question 1 · Dermatology, Clinical

During methotrexate monitoring, white-cell counts steadily fall and liver enzymes rise across several visits, while the latest values remain inside the laboratory reference limits. Which interpretation is best?

  1. A. Continue routine monitoring at the planned interval
  2. B. Review the skin response for possible dose escalation
  3. C. Review possible toxicity from the serial trends
  4. D. Seek urgent assessment of a dosing overdose
  5. E. Review whether the folate schedule is documented
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C. Review possible toxicity from the serial trends

Gradual falling counts or rising enzymes may warn of toxicity even before an absolute threshold is exceeded.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Continue routine monitoring at the planned interval: Continue routine monitoring at the planned interval would fit serial counts and organ results are stable and reassuring with no new clinical concern. In this case, progressively falling counts and rising liver enzymes can matter before an absolute limit is crossed.
  • B. Review the skin response for possible dose escalation: Review the skin response for possible dose escalation would fit efficacy is inadequate and the safety assessment supports an indicated specialist change. In this case, progressively falling counts and rising liver enzymes can matter before an absolute limit is crossed.
  • D. Seek urgent assessment of a dosing overdose: Seek urgent assessment of a dosing overdose would fit excess dosing or acute toxicity symptoms indicate an immediate overdose concern. In this case, progressively falling counts and rising liver enzymes can matter before an absolute limit is crossed.
  • E. Review whether the folate schedule is documented: Review whether the folate schedule is documented would fit the issue is missing supplementation instructions rather than changing blood-count and liver trends. In this case, progressively falling counts and rising liver enzymes can matter before an absolute limit is crossed.

Key point: Use serial blood-count and liver trends in methotrexate safety review.

References

Question 2 · Dermatology, Clinical

A patient started a new medicine two weeks ago and now reports a painful spreading rash, sore mouth and blistering. What should take priority over completing a routine dermatology history?

  1. A. Urgent clinical assessment for a severe cutaneous drug reaction
  2. B. Arrange routine patch testing for persistent suspected contact allergy
  3. C. Use emollients for uncomplicated dry or eczematous skin
  4. D. Plan routine follow-up for a stable nonsevere condition
  5. E. Reassure after assessment establishes a low-risk explanation
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A. Urgent clinical assessment for a severe cutaneous drug reaction

Pain, mucosal involvement and blistering after medication exposure are warning features of a severe cutaneous adverse reaction. Escalate urgently, document the medicine/timing and arrange clinician-led decisions about the suspected drug and immediate care.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Arrange routine patch testing for persistent suspected contact allergy: Testing for delayed contact allergy does not stabilise a potentially severe systemic drug reaction.
  • C. Use emollients for uncomplicated dry or eczematous skin: Symptom products do not address the severe warning pattern.
  • D. Plan routine follow-up for a stable nonsevere condition: Waiting risks progression of a potentially serious reaction.
  • E. Reassure after assessment establishes a low-risk explanation: No low-risk explanation has been established; painful spreading rash, mucosal symptoms and blistering require urgent assessment.

Key point: Prioritise urgent assessment for painful blistering or mucosal drug-related rash.

Question 3 · Dermatology, Clinical

Which HPV types carry a risk of malignant transformation?

  1. A. HPV 1 and 4
  2. B. HPV 2 and 3
  3. C. HPV 3 and 10
  4. D. HPV 1, 2, and 4
  5. E. HPV 16 and 18
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: E. HPV 16 and 18

HPV 16 and 18 are the types with a malignant transformation risk. Types 1, 2, and 4 cause common warts and types 3 and 10 cause plane warts.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. HPV 1 and 4: Types 1, 2, and 4 cause common warts.
  • B. HPV 2 and 3: HPV 2 causes common warts and HPV 3 causes plane warts.
  • C. HPV 3 and 10: Types 3 and 10 cause plane warts.
  • D. HPV 1, 2, and 4: Types 1, 2, and 4 cause common warts.

Key point: HPV 16 and 18 carry a malignant transformation risk.

References

  • Warts and verrucas, NHS (page last reviewed 25 July 2023)
  • Molluscum contagiosum, Primary Care Dermatology Society (last updated 23 March 2026)
  • Warts, MSD Manual Professional Edition (full review March 2025, updated August 2026)

Question 4 · Dermatology, Clinical

A woman using the named minoxidil foam develops palpitations, faintness and new ankle swelling. What does the product advice require?

  1. A. Continue to the planned efficacy review
  2. B. Correct application to the healthy affected scalp
  3. C. Stop the product and seek medical assessment
  4. D. Explain a brief early shedding phase with safety-netting
  5. E. Review persistent local scalp irritation
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C. Stop the product and seek medical assessment

The named foam advises stopping and seeking medical assessment for rapid heartbeat, faintness, swelling and related systemic symptoms.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Continue to the planned efficacy review: Continue to the planned efficacy review would fit correctly used treatment is tolerated without a new safety concern. In this case, palpitations, faintness and swelling are listed reasons to stop and seek medical assessment.
  • B. Correct application to the healthy affected scalp: Correct application to the healthy affected scalp would fit the error is application to hair shafts and no systemic safety symptoms are present. In this case, palpitations, faintness and swelling are listed reasons to stop and seek medical assessment.
  • D. Explain a brief early shedding phase with safety-netting: Explain a brief early shedding phase with safety-netting would fit a compatible short early shedding phase occurs without listed systemic symptoms. In this case, palpitations, faintness and swelling are listed reasons to stop and seek medical assessment.
  • E. Review persistent local scalp irritation: Review persistent local scalp irritation would fit the reported problem is continuing local irritation without the supplied cardiovascular or fluid-retention symptoms. In this case, palpitations, faintness and swelling are listed reasons to stop and seek medical assessment.

Key point: Apply the minoxidil safety instruction for cardiovascular or fluid-retention symptoms.

References

Question 5 · Dermatology, Clinical

Several hairs are released during a correctly performed hair pull test in a patient with diffuse shedding. Which conclusion is justified by that result alone?

  1. A. Regional miniaturisation is demonstrated
  2. B. A reduced terminal-to-vellus ratio is measured
  3. C. A scarring process is demonstrated
  4. D. Biochemical androgen excess is demonstrated
  5. E. Active shedding is supported, but its cause is not uniquely identified
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: E. Active shedding is supported, but its cause is not uniquely identified

A positive pull test supplies evidence of current shedding activity but requires history, examination and sometimes additional tests to establish the cause.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Regional miniaturisation is demonstrated: Regional miniaturisation is demonstrated would fit trichoscopy or histology demonstrates a regional reduction in follicular calibre. In this case, a positive pull test supports shedding activity but does not uniquely diagnose its cause.
  • B. A reduced terminal-to-vellus ratio is measured: A reduced terminal-to-vellus ratio is measured would fit follicle assessment in an appropriately processed biopsy establishes that ratio. In this case, a positive pull test supports shedding activity but does not uniquely diagnose its cause.
  • C. A scarring process is demonstrated: A scarring process is demonstrated would fit examination or histology demonstrates follicular destruction and loss of openings. In this case, a positive pull test supports shedding activity but does not uniquely diagnose its cause.
  • D. Biochemical androgen excess is demonstrated: Biochemical androgen excess is demonstrated would fit an appropriately interpreted androgen assay shows the abnormality. In this case, a positive pull test supports shedding activity but does not uniquely diagnose its cause.

Key point: Separate shedding activity from the cause of diffuse hair loss.

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