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PATH 370 – QUIZ 6 PRACTICE QUESTIONS Chapters 24, 25, 26, and 27 –
Comprehensive Pathophysiology Review
CHAPTER 24: INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1. Which layer of the skin provides the primary barrier against
water loss and pathogens?
A) Dermis
B) Stratum corneum (outermost layer of epidermis)
C) Subcutaneous tissue
D) Hypodermis
Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the
epidermis, composed of keratinized cells that form the primary
protective barrier.
2. Melanocytes are located in which layer of the skin?
A) Stratum corneum
B) Stratum basale (basal layer of epidermis)
C) Dermis
D) Subcutaneous tissue
Answer: B
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Rationale: Melanocytes reside in the stratum basale and
produce melanin, which protects against UV radiation.
3. Which of the following is the most common type of skin
cancer?
A) Melanoma
B) Basal cell carcinoma
C) Squamous cell carcinoma
D) Merkel cell carcinoma
Answer: B
Rationale: Basal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 80%
of all skin cancers.
4. Basal cell carcinoma typically:
A) Metastasizes widely
B) Is locally invasive but rarely metastasizes
C) Arises from melanocytes
D) Spreads via lymphatics early
Answer: B
Rationale: BCC grows locally and rarely metastasizes, though it
can cause significant local tissue destruction.
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5. The most deadly type of skin cancer is:
A) Basal cell carcinoma
B) Squamous cell carcinoma
C) Melanoma
D) Actinic keratosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Melanoma causes the majority of skin cancer deaths
despite being less common than BCC or SCC.
6. Which of the following is a major risk factor for all types of
skin cancer?
A) Family history
B) Ultraviolet radiation exposure
C) Chemical exposure
D) Viral infection only
Answer: B
Rationale: UV radiation from sun exposure or tanning beds is
the primary environmental risk factor for skin cancer.
7. The ABCDE rule for melanoma assessment includes:
A) Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter > 6
mm, Evolution
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B) Age, Blood type, Color, Depth, Edema
C) Asymmetry, Bleeding, Crusting, Darkness, Elevation
D) Area, Border, Color, Density, Epidermis
Answer: A
Rationale: ABCDE helps identify suspicious melanocytic lesions:
Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter > 6
mm, and Evolution (change over time).
8. Which type of skin cancer arises from keratinocytes and is
associated with chronic sun exposure?
A) Melanoma
B) Basal cell carcinoma
C) Squamous cell carcinoma
D) Merkel cell carcinoma
Answer: C
Rationale: Squamous cell carcinoma arises from keratinocytes
and is linked to cumulative sun exposure.
9. Actinic keratosis is:
A) A benign skin tumor
B) A precancerous lesion from chronic sun damage
PATH 370 – QUIZ 6 PRACTICE QUESTIONS Chapters 24, 25, 26, and 27 –
Comprehensive Pathophysiology Review
CHAPTER 24: INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1. Which layer of the skin provides the primary barrier against
water loss and pathogens?
A) Dermis
B) Stratum corneum (outermost layer of epidermis)
C) Subcutaneous tissue
D) Hypodermis
Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the
epidermis, composed of keratinized cells that form the primary
protective barrier.
2. Melanocytes are located in which layer of the skin?
A) Stratum corneum
B) Stratum basale (basal layer of epidermis)
C) Dermis
D) Subcutaneous tissue
Answer: B
, Page |2
Rationale: Melanocytes reside in the stratum basale and
produce melanin, which protects against UV radiation.
3. Which of the following is the most common type of skin
cancer?
A) Melanoma
B) Basal cell carcinoma
C) Squamous cell carcinoma
D) Merkel cell carcinoma
Answer: B
Rationale: Basal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 80%
of all skin cancers.
4. Basal cell carcinoma typically:
A) Metastasizes widely
B) Is locally invasive but rarely metastasizes
C) Arises from melanocytes
D) Spreads via lymphatics early
Answer: B
Rationale: BCC grows locally and rarely metastasizes, though it
can cause significant local tissue destruction.
, Page |3
5. The most deadly type of skin cancer is:
A) Basal cell carcinoma
B) Squamous cell carcinoma
C) Melanoma
D) Actinic keratosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Melanoma causes the majority of skin cancer deaths
despite being less common than BCC or SCC.
6. Which of the following is a major risk factor for all types of
skin cancer?
A) Family history
B) Ultraviolet radiation exposure
C) Chemical exposure
D) Viral infection only
Answer: B
Rationale: UV radiation from sun exposure or tanning beds is
the primary environmental risk factor for skin cancer.
7. The ABCDE rule for melanoma assessment includes:
A) Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter > 6
mm, Evolution
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B) Age, Blood type, Color, Depth, Edema
C) Asymmetry, Bleeding, Crusting, Darkness, Elevation
D) Area, Border, Color, Density, Epidermis
Answer: A
Rationale: ABCDE helps identify suspicious melanocytic lesions:
Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter > 6
mm, and Evolution (change over time).
8. Which type of skin cancer arises from keratinocytes and is
associated with chronic sun exposure?
A) Melanoma
B) Basal cell carcinoma
C) Squamous cell carcinoma
D) Merkel cell carcinoma
Answer: C
Rationale: Squamous cell carcinoma arises from keratinocytes
and is linked to cumulative sun exposure.
9. Actinic keratosis is:
A) A benign skin tumor
B) A precancerous lesion from chronic sun damage
