Dermatology and Ophthalmology: Key Concepts for
NUR 555 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What are the key factors to consider when developing a rash differential?
Describe the lesion's type, color, surface features, area involved, shape, and palpation findings.
Ask about the onset, duration, and itching, and document size, texture, arrangement, and
distribution.
What is pruritus?
Severe itching and the most common symptom of primary skin disorders, which can be acute or
chronic, localized or generalized.
How does itch travel through the nervous system?
It travels through specific unmyelinated C-nerve fibers and can be influenced by the central
nervous system.
What are the two types of neuropathic pruritus?
Neuropathic pruritus follows pathology along an afferent pathway, while psychogenic pruritus is
associated with psychological disorders.
What are the management strategies for pruritus?
Management may include topical and systemic therapy directed at the cause, and repeated
scratching should be avoided to prevent skin trauma.
What distinguishes allergic contact dermatitis from irritant contact dermatitis?
, Allergic contact dermatitis is a Type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction, while irritant contact
dermatitis is nonimmune inflammation from irritants.
What are the symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis?
Symptoms include erythema, edema, pruritus, and vesicles.
What is atopic dermatitis?
The most common childhood eczema, linked with family history of atopy, hay fever, elevated
IgE, and histamine sensitivity.
What are the management strategies for atopic dermatitis?
Restore the skin barrier with emollients, avoid triggers, and use anti-inflammatory topical
therapy during flares.
What is the pathophysiology of psoriasis?
A chronic, relapsing T-cell autoimmune inflammatory disorder with accelerated epidermal
turnover.
What are the common manifestations of psoriasis?
Thick, elevated, sharply demarcated plaques with silvery scales, commonly found on the scalp,
elbows, and knees.
What systemic complications can arise from psoriasis?
Psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
What is the first-line treatment for acne?
NUR 555 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What are the key factors to consider when developing a rash differential?
Describe the lesion's type, color, surface features, area involved, shape, and palpation findings.
Ask about the onset, duration, and itching, and document size, texture, arrangement, and
distribution.
What is pruritus?
Severe itching and the most common symptom of primary skin disorders, which can be acute or
chronic, localized or generalized.
How does itch travel through the nervous system?
It travels through specific unmyelinated C-nerve fibers and can be influenced by the central
nervous system.
What are the two types of neuropathic pruritus?
Neuropathic pruritus follows pathology along an afferent pathway, while psychogenic pruritus is
associated with psychological disorders.
What are the management strategies for pruritus?
Management may include topical and systemic therapy directed at the cause, and repeated
scratching should be avoided to prevent skin trauma.
What distinguishes allergic contact dermatitis from irritant contact dermatitis?
, Allergic contact dermatitis is a Type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction, while irritant contact
dermatitis is nonimmune inflammation from irritants.
What are the symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis?
Symptoms include erythema, edema, pruritus, and vesicles.
What is atopic dermatitis?
The most common childhood eczema, linked with family history of atopy, hay fever, elevated
IgE, and histamine sensitivity.
What are the management strategies for atopic dermatitis?
Restore the skin barrier with emollients, avoid triggers, and use anti-inflammatory topical
therapy during flares.
What is the pathophysiology of psoriasis?
A chronic, relapsing T-cell autoimmune inflammatory disorder with accelerated epidermal
turnover.
What are the common manifestations of psoriasis?
Thick, elevated, sharply demarcated plaques with silvery scales, commonly found on the scalp,
elbows, and knees.
What systemic complications can arise from psoriasis?
Psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
What is the first-line treatment for acne?
