Dermatologic Disorders and NURS 5432
Dermatology Practice Exam questions and
correct answers– Updated 2026 (Graded A+)
instant download pdf
Subject: NURS 5432 Dermatologic Disorders
Subtopic: Assessment and Diagnosis of Dermatologic Disorders
Question 1:
A 48-year-old patient presents with a rapidly changing pigmented lesion exhibiting asymmetry,
irregular borders, and color variation. Which clinical assessment tool is most appropriate for
initial evaluation?
A) Glasgow Coma Scale
B) ABCDE criteria for melanoma
C) Braden Scale
D) Norton Scale
Correct Answer: B - ABCDE criteria for melanoma
Rationale: The ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter, and
Evolution) are used to assess suspicious pigmented lesions. The Glasgow Coma Scale evaluates
neurologic status, while the Braden and Norton scales assess pressure ulcer risk.
Question 2:
A nurse assessing a patient with psoriasis recognizes that the characteristic lesions are:
A) Vesicular lesions with clear fluid
B) Thick silvery plaques on erythematous skin
C) Deep ulcerative lesions
D) Purpuric lesions with necrosis
Correct Answer: B - Thick silvery plaques on erythematous skin
,Rationale: Psoriasis typically presents with well-demarcated erythematous plaques covered by
silvery scales. Vesicles suggest herpes infections, while ulcerative lesions indicate other
dermatologic disorders.
Question 3:
A patient reports intense nocturnal itching and burrows between the fingers. Which disorder
should the nurse suspect?
A) Psoriasis
B) Contact dermatitis
C) Scabies
D) Rosacea
Correct Answer: C - Scabies
Rationale: Scabies commonly causes severe nocturnal pruritus and burrows in interdigital
spaces due to infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei mites. Psoriasis and rosacea have different
clinical presentations.
Question 4:
Which lesion is considered a primary skin lesion?
A) Scar
B) Ulcer
C) Papule
D) Crust
Correct Answer: C - Papule
Rationale: Papules are primary skin lesions. Scars, ulcers, and crusts are secondary lesions
resulting from disease progression or trauma.
Question 5:
A nurse identifies a fluid-filled lesion measuring less than 1 cm in diameter. This lesion is
classified as:
,A) Bulla
B) Vesicle
C) Pustule
D) Nodule
Correct Answer: B - Vesicle
Rationale: Vesicles are small fluid-filled lesions less than 1 cm. Bullae are larger fluid-filled
lesions, while pustules contain purulent material.
Subtopic: Inflammatory Skin Disorders
Question 6:
A patient with atopic dermatitis is most likely to report:
A) Severe joint pain
B) Chronic pruritus and dry skin
C) Hair loss only
D) Facial paralysis
Correct Answer: B - Chronic pruritus and dry skin
Rationale: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by chronic itching, xerosis, and recurrent eczema.
Joint pain and neurologic symptoms are unrelated findings.
Question 7:
The pathophysiology of psoriasis primarily involves:
A) Bacterial infection
B) Autoimmune-mediated inflammation and accelerated epidermal turnover
C) Viral destruction of melanocytes
D) Fungal invasion
Correct Answer: B - Autoimmune-mediated inflammation and accelerated epidermal
turnover
Rationale: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease causing rapid skin cell proliferation. It is
not caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
, Question 8:
A patient develops erythema and itching after exposure to poison ivy. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A) Psoriasis
B) Seborrheic dermatitis
C) Allergic contact dermatitis
D) Cellulitis
Correct Answer: C - Allergic contact dermatitis
Rationale: Poison ivy exposure commonly produces allergic contact dermatitis due to delayed
hypersensitivity reactions.
Question 9:
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient with severe eczema?
A) Frequent hot baths
B) Regular use of emollients and moisturizers
C) Aggressive skin scrubbing
D) Alcohol-based cleansers
Correct Answer: B - Regular use of emollients and moisturizers
Rationale: Moisturizers restore skin barrier function and reduce symptoms. Hot water and harsh
cleansers may worsen eczema.
Question 10:
Koebner phenomenon is commonly associated with:
A) Acne vulgaris
B) Psoriasis
C) Impetigo
D) Cellulitis
Correct Answer: B - Psoriasis
Dermatology Practice Exam questions and
correct answers– Updated 2026 (Graded A+)
instant download pdf
Subject: NURS 5432 Dermatologic Disorders
Subtopic: Assessment and Diagnosis of Dermatologic Disorders
Question 1:
A 48-year-old patient presents with a rapidly changing pigmented lesion exhibiting asymmetry,
irregular borders, and color variation. Which clinical assessment tool is most appropriate for
initial evaluation?
A) Glasgow Coma Scale
B) ABCDE criteria for melanoma
C) Braden Scale
D) Norton Scale
Correct Answer: B - ABCDE criteria for melanoma
Rationale: The ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter, and
Evolution) are used to assess suspicious pigmented lesions. The Glasgow Coma Scale evaluates
neurologic status, while the Braden and Norton scales assess pressure ulcer risk.
Question 2:
A nurse assessing a patient with psoriasis recognizes that the characteristic lesions are:
A) Vesicular lesions with clear fluid
B) Thick silvery plaques on erythematous skin
C) Deep ulcerative lesions
D) Purpuric lesions with necrosis
Correct Answer: B - Thick silvery plaques on erythematous skin
,Rationale: Psoriasis typically presents with well-demarcated erythematous plaques covered by
silvery scales. Vesicles suggest herpes infections, while ulcerative lesions indicate other
dermatologic disorders.
Question 3:
A patient reports intense nocturnal itching and burrows between the fingers. Which disorder
should the nurse suspect?
A) Psoriasis
B) Contact dermatitis
C) Scabies
D) Rosacea
Correct Answer: C - Scabies
Rationale: Scabies commonly causes severe nocturnal pruritus and burrows in interdigital
spaces due to infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei mites. Psoriasis and rosacea have different
clinical presentations.
Question 4:
Which lesion is considered a primary skin lesion?
A) Scar
B) Ulcer
C) Papule
D) Crust
Correct Answer: C - Papule
Rationale: Papules are primary skin lesions. Scars, ulcers, and crusts are secondary lesions
resulting from disease progression or trauma.
Question 5:
A nurse identifies a fluid-filled lesion measuring less than 1 cm in diameter. This lesion is
classified as:
,A) Bulla
B) Vesicle
C) Pustule
D) Nodule
Correct Answer: B - Vesicle
Rationale: Vesicles are small fluid-filled lesions less than 1 cm. Bullae are larger fluid-filled
lesions, while pustules contain purulent material.
Subtopic: Inflammatory Skin Disorders
Question 6:
A patient with atopic dermatitis is most likely to report:
A) Severe joint pain
B) Chronic pruritus and dry skin
C) Hair loss only
D) Facial paralysis
Correct Answer: B - Chronic pruritus and dry skin
Rationale: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by chronic itching, xerosis, and recurrent eczema.
Joint pain and neurologic symptoms are unrelated findings.
Question 7:
The pathophysiology of psoriasis primarily involves:
A) Bacterial infection
B) Autoimmune-mediated inflammation and accelerated epidermal turnover
C) Viral destruction of melanocytes
D) Fungal invasion
Correct Answer: B - Autoimmune-mediated inflammation and accelerated epidermal
turnover
Rationale: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease causing rapid skin cell proliferation. It is
not caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
, Question 8:
A patient develops erythema and itching after exposure to poison ivy. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A) Psoriasis
B) Seborrheic dermatitis
C) Allergic contact dermatitis
D) Cellulitis
Correct Answer: C - Allergic contact dermatitis
Rationale: Poison ivy exposure commonly produces allergic contact dermatitis due to delayed
hypersensitivity reactions.
Question 9:
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient with severe eczema?
A) Frequent hot baths
B) Regular use of emollients and moisturizers
C) Aggressive skin scrubbing
D) Alcohol-based cleansers
Correct Answer: B - Regular use of emollients and moisturizers
Rationale: Moisturizers restore skin barrier function and reduce symptoms. Hot water and harsh
cleansers may worsen eczema.
Question 10:
Koebner phenomenon is commonly associated with:
A) Acne vulgaris
B) Psoriasis
C) Impetigo
D) Cellulitis
Correct Answer: B - Psoriasis
