NUR 6001 Exam 1 – Advanced Health
Assessment – (2026) Actual 160
Questions & Answers With Rationales
SECTION 1: SKIN & HAIR ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
Which layer of the epidermis is mostly found in the skin on the
palms of the hands and soles of the feet?
A. Stratum corneum
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum granulosum
D. Stratum germinativum
Answer: B. Stratum lucidum
Rationale: The stratum lucidum is a translucent layer found only
in thick skin such as the palms and soles. It provides additional
protection in high-friction areas, which is crucial in advanced skin
assessment.
,Question 2
Most hair follicles originate in which level of the skin?
A. Epidermis
B. Subcutaneous layer
C. Adipose layer
D. Dermis
Answer: D. Dermis
Rationale: Hair follicles are anchored in the dermis, where they
receive blood supply and are surrounded by sebaceous glands.
The epidermis does not contain hair follicles; it only has the hair
shaft passing through it.
Question 3
A patient's chart mentions that their particular skin ailment is
"confluent." What does this describe?
A. Morphology
B. Structure
C. Distribution
D. Turgor
Answer: C. Distribution
Rationale: "Confluent" describes the distribution pattern of
lesions—meaning they merge or run together. It does not
describe the morphology (appearance), structure, or turgor of the
lesions.
,Question 4
A patient presents with red papules and areas of plaque on her
skin and irregular formations of exfoliated, keratinized cells. What
is the most likely ailment?
A. Psoriasis
B. Eczema
C. Acne
D. Discoid lupus
Answer: A. Psoriasis
Rationale: Psoriasis is characterized by red papules and plaques
covered with silvery-white scales (exfoliated, keratinized cells).
Eczema typically presents with erythematous, weeping, crusted
lesions; acne involves comedones; and discoid lupus features
discoid-shaped plaques with scarring.
Question 5
Which pruritic skin condition is most common during pregnancy?
A. PUPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy)
B. Pemphigoid gestationis
C. Prurigo gravidarum
D. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)
Answer: A. PUPP
, Rationale: PUPP is the most common pruritic dermatosis of
pregnancy. Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare autoimmune
blistering disorder, and ICP is a liver disorder presenting with
pruritus without a primary skin rash.
Question 6
A patient is suspected to have allergic contact dermatitis. Which
diagnostic test should be used?
A. Patch testing
B. Biopsy
C. Serum total IgE
D. KOH scraping
Answer: A. Patch testing
Rationale: Patch testing is the gold standard for diagnosing
allergic contact dermatitis. Biopsy may help but is not specific;
serum total IgE is useful for atopic conditions; KOH scraping is
used for fungal infections.
Question 7
A clinician is assessing a patient with dark skin. Which technique is
most appropriate for assessing cyanosis?
A. Observe the nail beds only
B. Assess the palms and soles for pallor
Assessment – (2026) Actual 160
Questions & Answers With Rationales
SECTION 1: SKIN & HAIR ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
Which layer of the epidermis is mostly found in the skin on the
palms of the hands and soles of the feet?
A. Stratum corneum
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum granulosum
D. Stratum germinativum
Answer: B. Stratum lucidum
Rationale: The stratum lucidum is a translucent layer found only
in thick skin such as the palms and soles. It provides additional
protection in high-friction areas, which is crucial in advanced skin
assessment.
,Question 2
Most hair follicles originate in which level of the skin?
A. Epidermis
B. Subcutaneous layer
C. Adipose layer
D. Dermis
Answer: D. Dermis
Rationale: Hair follicles are anchored in the dermis, where they
receive blood supply and are surrounded by sebaceous glands.
The epidermis does not contain hair follicles; it only has the hair
shaft passing through it.
Question 3
A patient's chart mentions that their particular skin ailment is
"confluent." What does this describe?
A. Morphology
B. Structure
C. Distribution
D. Turgor
Answer: C. Distribution
Rationale: "Confluent" describes the distribution pattern of
lesions—meaning they merge or run together. It does not
describe the morphology (appearance), structure, or turgor of the
lesions.
,Question 4
A patient presents with red papules and areas of plaque on her
skin and irregular formations of exfoliated, keratinized cells. What
is the most likely ailment?
A. Psoriasis
B. Eczema
C. Acne
D. Discoid lupus
Answer: A. Psoriasis
Rationale: Psoriasis is characterized by red papules and plaques
covered with silvery-white scales (exfoliated, keratinized cells).
Eczema typically presents with erythematous, weeping, crusted
lesions; acne involves comedones; and discoid lupus features
discoid-shaped plaques with scarring.
Question 5
Which pruritic skin condition is most common during pregnancy?
A. PUPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy)
B. Pemphigoid gestationis
C. Prurigo gravidarum
D. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)
Answer: A. PUPP
, Rationale: PUPP is the most common pruritic dermatosis of
pregnancy. Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare autoimmune
blistering disorder, and ICP is a liver disorder presenting with
pruritus without a primary skin rash.
Question 6
A patient is suspected to have allergic contact dermatitis. Which
diagnostic test should be used?
A. Patch testing
B. Biopsy
C. Serum total IgE
D. KOH scraping
Answer: A. Patch testing
Rationale: Patch testing is the gold standard for diagnosing
allergic contact dermatitis. Biopsy may help but is not specific;
serum total IgE is useful for atopic conditions; KOH scraping is
used for fungal infections.
Question 7
A clinician is assessing a patient with dark skin. Which technique is
most appropriate for assessing cyanosis?
A. Observe the nail beds only
B. Assess the palms and soles for pallor
