NUR 6111 Exam 1: Advanced Practice Nursing | Actual
Questions and Answers + Expert Rationales | 2026 Updates |
100% correct
Section 1: Dermatology – Infectious & Inflammatory Conditions
1. A patient presents with red and scaly lesions on the scalp. The hairs appear discolored,
lusterless, and brittle. The lesions started as small erythematous papules around a hair shaft
on the scalp. The hairs break off a few millimeters above the scalp skin surface. The lesion has
spread, forming numerous papules in a circular form. The NP knows that in considering the
management for this patient, the statements below are true (select all that apply):
A) Wood’s lamp examination is useful for diagnosis
B) 1% or 2.5% selenium sulfide (Selsun) is an appropriate topical treatment
C) The patient should follow up with a negative fungal culture after treatment
D) Oral terbinafine is always required for cure
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Expert Rationale:
This presentation is classic for tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp). Wood’s lamp can
show fluorescence in some species (e.g., Microsporum). Topical selenium sulfide helps reduce
shedding and transmission. A negative follow-up culture confirms eradication. Oral antifungals
are often needed for tinea capitis, but not always required in every case, so D is not universally
true.
2. A 60-year-old female who works in an animal shelter complains of a rash on her buttocks
and abdomen for the last week. No change in detergents or soaps. Examination shows
erythematous, ring-like lesions with raised, scaly borders that appear paler in the center.
Which test would initially help you make your diagnosis?
A) Skin biopsy
B) Wood’s lamp examination
,C) KOH scraping
D) Bacterial culture
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
The description is classic for tinea corporis (ringworm). A KOH (potassium hydroxide)
preparation is the initial, rapid, inexpensive test that reveals branching hyphae. Wood’s lamp is
not typically positive for Trichophyton species (common in animal contacts). Biopsy and culture
are secondary or confirmatory.
3. The differential diagnoses for atopic dermatitis include contact dermatitis, drug reaction,
scabies, and tinea. A feature that can distinguish atopic dermatitis from the other diagnoses
includes:
A) Presence of vesicles
B) Personal history of asthma and hay fever
C) Positive KOH preparation
D) Exposure to irritants
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale:
Atopic dermatitis is part of the atopic triad (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis). A personal or
family history of asthma and hay fever strongly supports atopic dermatitis over contact
dermatitis, scabies, or tinea, which do not share this association.
4. The most important aspect of skin care for individuals with atopic dermatitis is:
A) Topical corticosteroids
B) Oral antihistamines
C) Application of lubricants/emollients
D) Avoidance of all soaps
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
Emollients and lubricants restore the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, and are
the cornerstone of maintenance therapy. While topical steroids treat flares, emollients are the
most important preventive measure.
, 5. Which of the following statements is true regarding Actinic Keratosis?
A) They are completely benign and require no follow-up
B) They are considered pre-malignant cells and precursors to squamous cell carcinoma
C) They never bleed or become painful
D) They are caused by a viral infection
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale:
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are sun-induced dysplastic lesions that are precursors to squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC). They are not viral, can bleed, and require monitoring/treatment.
6. All of the following describe characteristics of benign skin lesions except:
A) Symmetrical shape
B) Uniform color
C) Variation in color
D) Stable size over time
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
Variation in color (e.g., multiple shades of brown, black, red) is a warning sign for malignancy
(the “ABCDE” rule). Benign lesions typically have uniform color.
7. A 73-year-old woman presents with a newly formed, painless, pearly, ulcerated nodule with
rolled edges and overlying telangiectasia on the upper lip. Based on the description, what is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Squamous cell carcinoma
B) Melanoma
C) Basal cell carcinoma
D) Seborrheic keratosis
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
The classic description of “pearly, rolled edges, telangiectasia, and ulceration” is characteristic
Questions and Answers + Expert Rationales | 2026 Updates |
100% correct
Section 1: Dermatology – Infectious & Inflammatory Conditions
1. A patient presents with red and scaly lesions on the scalp. The hairs appear discolored,
lusterless, and brittle. The lesions started as small erythematous papules around a hair shaft
on the scalp. The hairs break off a few millimeters above the scalp skin surface. The lesion has
spread, forming numerous papules in a circular form. The NP knows that in considering the
management for this patient, the statements below are true (select all that apply):
A) Wood’s lamp examination is useful for diagnosis
B) 1% or 2.5% selenium sulfide (Selsun) is an appropriate topical treatment
C) The patient should follow up with a negative fungal culture after treatment
D) Oral terbinafine is always required for cure
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Expert Rationale:
This presentation is classic for tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp). Wood’s lamp can
show fluorescence in some species (e.g., Microsporum). Topical selenium sulfide helps reduce
shedding and transmission. A negative follow-up culture confirms eradication. Oral antifungals
are often needed for tinea capitis, but not always required in every case, so D is not universally
true.
2. A 60-year-old female who works in an animal shelter complains of a rash on her buttocks
and abdomen for the last week. No change in detergents or soaps. Examination shows
erythematous, ring-like lesions with raised, scaly borders that appear paler in the center.
Which test would initially help you make your diagnosis?
A) Skin biopsy
B) Wood’s lamp examination
,C) KOH scraping
D) Bacterial culture
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
The description is classic for tinea corporis (ringworm). A KOH (potassium hydroxide)
preparation is the initial, rapid, inexpensive test that reveals branching hyphae. Wood’s lamp is
not typically positive for Trichophyton species (common in animal contacts). Biopsy and culture
are secondary or confirmatory.
3. The differential diagnoses for atopic dermatitis include contact dermatitis, drug reaction,
scabies, and tinea. A feature that can distinguish atopic dermatitis from the other diagnoses
includes:
A) Presence of vesicles
B) Personal history of asthma and hay fever
C) Positive KOH preparation
D) Exposure to irritants
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale:
Atopic dermatitis is part of the atopic triad (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis). A personal or
family history of asthma and hay fever strongly supports atopic dermatitis over contact
dermatitis, scabies, or tinea, which do not share this association.
4. The most important aspect of skin care for individuals with atopic dermatitis is:
A) Topical corticosteroids
B) Oral antihistamines
C) Application of lubricants/emollients
D) Avoidance of all soaps
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
Emollients and lubricants restore the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, and are
the cornerstone of maintenance therapy. While topical steroids treat flares, emollients are the
most important preventive measure.
, 5. Which of the following statements is true regarding Actinic Keratosis?
A) They are completely benign and require no follow-up
B) They are considered pre-malignant cells and precursors to squamous cell carcinoma
C) They never bleed or become painful
D) They are caused by a viral infection
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale:
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are sun-induced dysplastic lesions that are precursors to squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC). They are not viral, can bleed, and require monitoring/treatment.
6. All of the following describe characteristics of benign skin lesions except:
A) Symmetrical shape
B) Uniform color
C) Variation in color
D) Stable size over time
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
Variation in color (e.g., multiple shades of brown, black, red) is a warning sign for malignancy
(the “ABCDE” rule). Benign lesions typically have uniform color.
7. A 73-year-old woman presents with a newly formed, painless, pearly, ulcerated nodule with
rolled edges and overlying telangiectasia on the upper lip. Based on the description, what is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Squamous cell carcinoma
B) Melanoma
C) Basal cell carcinoma
D) Seborrheic keratosis
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale:
The classic description of “pearly, rolled edges, telangiectasia, and ulceration” is characteristic
