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PASS.
PAT I E N T C A R E A S S I S TA N T · C E R T I F I C AT I O N E X A M P R E P
PCA Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Dermatology & Ophthalmology Assessment
EXAM FOCUS:
Skin Lesions, Eye Examination & Cranial Nerves
— Core PCA Assessment Competencies
Edition 1 · July 2026
EXAM FOCUSED DETAILED CORE ASSESSMENT BUILD CONFIDENCE
RATIONALES
Aligned with PCA Dermatology & Master your PCA certification
certification standards Clear explanations for every ophthalmology skills exam
answer
P r e pa r e · P r a c t i c e · Pa s s
Excellence in Patient Care Assistant Certification
,PCA EXAM 1 · DERMATOLOGY & OPHTHALMOLOGY QUESTIONS 1–25
Section 1: Hair Disorders, Skin Lesions & Melanoma Detection
1 Vellus hair is best described as:
A Short, fine, unpigmented hair on the body
B Coarse, thick, pigmented hair on the scalp
C Hair that only appears during puberty
D Hair that grows exclusively on the face
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Vellus hair is the fine, short, lightly pigmented hair
covering most body surfaces. It differs from terminal hair which is coarse, thick,
and pigmented — found on the scalp, axillae, and pubic areas. Understanding
hair types helps assess conditions like hirsutism or alopecia.
2 Terminal hair is characterized as:
A Coarse, thick, and pigmented
B Short, fine, and unpigmented
C Present only at birth
D Found exclusively on the palms and soles
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Terminal hair is the mature hair type — thick, coarse, and
pigmented — found on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, axillae, and pubic
regions. Vellus hair converts to terminal hair under hormonal influence during
puberty.
,3 Causes of hair shedding at the root include:
A Alopecia areata and telogen effluvium
B Tinea capitis and traction alopecia
C Excessive shampooing and brushing
D Sun exposure and heat styling
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing
patchy hair loss at the root. Telogen effluvium causes diffuse shedding when hair
follicles prematurely enter the resting phase — often after stress, illness, or
hormonal changes. Tinea capitis causes hair breakage at the shaft, not root
shedding.
4 Tinea capitis causes hair loss through:
A Breakage of the hair shaft, commonly caused by T. tonsurans
B Shedding of hair at the root
C Autoimmune destruction of hair follicles
D Hormonal changes during menopause
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Tinea capitis is a fungal infection (commonly T.
tonsurans) that invades the hair shaft, causing it to become brittle and break.
This differs from root-shedding conditions — the hair breaks at the surface
rather than falling from the follicle.
, 5 Which of the following is a risk factor for melanoma?
A More than 50 common moles, red or light hair color, and history of severe
sunburns
B Dark skin color and minimal sun exposure
C Regular sunscreen use and protective clothing
D Low number of moles and absence of freckles
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Melanoma risk increases with numerous moles (>50), fair
features (red/light hair, freckles, light skin), UV radiation exposure, history of
severe sunburns, solar lentigines, and immunosuppression. Dark skin and sun
protection are protective, not risk factors.
6 The ABCDE criteria for melanoma detection includes:
A Asymmetry, Borders (uneven), Color (black or multiple), Diameter (>6mm),
Evolving
B Age, Bleeding, Crusting, Discharge, Erythema
C Appearance, Blanching, Consistency, Density, Elevation
D Alopecia, Bullae, Crusts, Desquamation, Edema
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: ABCDE is the standard screening tool: Asymmetry (one
half unlike the other), Border irregularity, Color variation (multiple colors or
black), Diameter >6mm (pencil eraser size), and Evolving (changing over time).
These features help distinguish concerning lesions from benign nevi.
PASS.
PAT I E N T C A R E A S S I S TA N T · C E R T I F I C AT I O N E X A M P R E P
PCA Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Dermatology & Ophthalmology Assessment
EXAM FOCUS:
Skin Lesions, Eye Examination & Cranial Nerves
— Core PCA Assessment Competencies
Edition 1 · July 2026
EXAM FOCUSED DETAILED CORE ASSESSMENT BUILD CONFIDENCE
RATIONALES
Aligned with PCA Dermatology & Master your PCA certification
certification standards Clear explanations for every ophthalmology skills exam
answer
P r e pa r e · P r a c t i c e · Pa s s
Excellence in Patient Care Assistant Certification
,PCA EXAM 1 · DERMATOLOGY & OPHTHALMOLOGY QUESTIONS 1–25
Section 1: Hair Disorders, Skin Lesions & Melanoma Detection
1 Vellus hair is best described as:
A Short, fine, unpigmented hair on the body
B Coarse, thick, pigmented hair on the scalp
C Hair that only appears during puberty
D Hair that grows exclusively on the face
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Vellus hair is the fine, short, lightly pigmented hair
covering most body surfaces. It differs from terminal hair which is coarse, thick,
and pigmented — found on the scalp, axillae, and pubic areas. Understanding
hair types helps assess conditions like hirsutism or alopecia.
2 Terminal hair is characterized as:
A Coarse, thick, and pigmented
B Short, fine, and unpigmented
C Present only at birth
D Found exclusively on the palms and soles
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Terminal hair is the mature hair type — thick, coarse, and
pigmented — found on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, axillae, and pubic
regions. Vellus hair converts to terminal hair under hormonal influence during
puberty.
,3 Causes of hair shedding at the root include:
A Alopecia areata and telogen effluvium
B Tinea capitis and traction alopecia
C Excessive shampooing and brushing
D Sun exposure and heat styling
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing
patchy hair loss at the root. Telogen effluvium causes diffuse shedding when hair
follicles prematurely enter the resting phase — often after stress, illness, or
hormonal changes. Tinea capitis causes hair breakage at the shaft, not root
shedding.
4 Tinea capitis causes hair loss through:
A Breakage of the hair shaft, commonly caused by T. tonsurans
B Shedding of hair at the root
C Autoimmune destruction of hair follicles
D Hormonal changes during menopause
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Tinea capitis is a fungal infection (commonly T.
tonsurans) that invades the hair shaft, causing it to become brittle and break.
This differs from root-shedding conditions — the hair breaks at the surface
rather than falling from the follicle.
, 5 Which of the following is a risk factor for melanoma?
A More than 50 common moles, red or light hair color, and history of severe
sunburns
B Dark skin color and minimal sun exposure
C Regular sunscreen use and protective clothing
D Low number of moles and absence of freckles
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Melanoma risk increases with numerous moles (>50), fair
features (red/light hair, freckles, light skin), UV radiation exposure, history of
severe sunburns, solar lentigines, and immunosuppression. Dark skin and sun
protection are protective, not risk factors.
6 The ABCDE criteria for melanoma detection includes:
A Asymmetry, Borders (uneven), Color (black or multiple), Diameter (>6mm),
Evolving
B Age, Bleeding, Crusting, Discharge, Erythema
C Appearance, Blanching, Consistency, Density, Elevation
D Alopecia, Bullae, Crusts, Desquamation, Edema
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: ABCDE is the standard screening tool: Asymmetry (one
half unlike the other), Border irregularity, Color variation (multiple colors or
black), Diameter >6mm (pencil eraser size), and Evolving (changing over time).
These features help distinguish concerning lesions from benign nevi.
