NURS 5432 DERMATOLOGY 190 QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
What does the Greek word "eczema" mean?
to boil over
How are eczematous skin lesions typically described?
Red and weepy, indicating skin inflammation.
What is the general meaning of the term "dermatitis"
Inflammation of the skin; it is often used when the exact diagnosis is unclear.
What changes occur in the epidermis during eczema?
The epidermis begins to swell and fills with fluid.
What would a skin biopsy show in a patient with eczema?
Sponge-like appearance in the epidermis due to fluid accumulation
What vascular change is associated with eczema?
vasodilation
What happens to the epidermis over time in chronic eczema?
It thickens due to long-term inflammation.
What visible skin change can result from epidermal thickening in eczema?
Darkening of the skin (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from long-term
inflammation of the skin
Why does cellular infiltrate occur in chronic eczema?
the body responds as if there is an infection, increasing white blood cells at the
site.
,What skin surface change results from cellular infiltrate and inflammation?
Scaling of the skin.
what is lichenification?
Thickening of the skin with exaggerated skin lines due to chronic scratching or
rubbing.
What are common locations for atopic dermatitis in school-aged children and
adults?
Wrists, behind the knees, and antecubital areas (flexural surfaces).
How does infantile atopic dermatitis typically present?
Confluent redness on the cheeks, sometimes scaly, dry, and irritated. May also
affect the forehead, scalp, and extensor surfaces but spares the diaper area.
Why is the diaper area typically spared in infantile atopic dermatitis?
Because the sealed moisture from the diaper prevents skin dryness.
What behaviors contribute to facial irritation in infants with atopic dermatitis?
Rubbing their face against clothing and drooling, which causes evaporative skin
irritation.
What structural defect is associated with atopic dermatitis?
Disruption of the stratum corneum, leading to poor barrier function and dry skin.
What lab findings support a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis?
Elevated IgE levels and eosinophils in the CBC. In patients that have received a
bone marrow transplant from patients with atopic dermatitis, will also develop
atopic dermatitis
What is the atopic triad?
Atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.
What are the earliest signs of atopic dermatitis in infants?
Redness, itching, and tiny red or pink papules.
, What is lichenification and when does it occur?
Skin thickening with pronounced lines due to chronic scratching; seen in older
children and adults with longstanding eczema.
Why does infantile atopic dermatitis typically appear around 2 months of age?
Because the infant's immune system needs time to develop enough to trigger
allergic responses. It is uncommon to see atopic dermatitis before 2 months.
What findings in infantile atopic dermatitis should raise concern for
staphylococcal infection?
Weeping or yellow crusting of lesions.
Which areas are commonly affected by atopic dermatitis in infants?
Forehead, cheeks, scalp, and extensor surfaces.
How does the presentation of atopic dermatitis change as children age?
Lesions become drier and more papular, with severe itching and plaque
formation in flexural areas like the antecubitals and popliteal fossae.
Why do flexural areas commonly develop plaques in older children?
These are sweat-prone areas; moisture evaporates, leading to skin dryness and
irritation—similar to drooling in infants.
What other symptoms may appear in older children with chronic atopic
dermatitis?
Cracking, scaling, and lichenification of the hands and feet, and
hyperpigmentation in chronic cases.
What percentage of children improve with age, and how many develop chronic
atopic dermatitis?
About 75% improve during childhood, while 25% continue into adolescence or
adulthood
What is the "three-minute rule" for managing eczema?
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
What does the Greek word "eczema" mean?
to boil over
How are eczematous skin lesions typically described?
Red and weepy, indicating skin inflammation.
What is the general meaning of the term "dermatitis"
Inflammation of the skin; it is often used when the exact diagnosis is unclear.
What changes occur in the epidermis during eczema?
The epidermis begins to swell and fills with fluid.
What would a skin biopsy show in a patient with eczema?
Sponge-like appearance in the epidermis due to fluid accumulation
What vascular change is associated with eczema?
vasodilation
What happens to the epidermis over time in chronic eczema?
It thickens due to long-term inflammation.
What visible skin change can result from epidermal thickening in eczema?
Darkening of the skin (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from long-term
inflammation of the skin
Why does cellular infiltrate occur in chronic eczema?
the body responds as if there is an infection, increasing white blood cells at the
site.
,What skin surface change results from cellular infiltrate and inflammation?
Scaling of the skin.
what is lichenification?
Thickening of the skin with exaggerated skin lines due to chronic scratching or
rubbing.
What are common locations for atopic dermatitis in school-aged children and
adults?
Wrists, behind the knees, and antecubital areas (flexural surfaces).
How does infantile atopic dermatitis typically present?
Confluent redness on the cheeks, sometimes scaly, dry, and irritated. May also
affect the forehead, scalp, and extensor surfaces but spares the diaper area.
Why is the diaper area typically spared in infantile atopic dermatitis?
Because the sealed moisture from the diaper prevents skin dryness.
What behaviors contribute to facial irritation in infants with atopic dermatitis?
Rubbing their face against clothing and drooling, which causes evaporative skin
irritation.
What structural defect is associated with atopic dermatitis?
Disruption of the stratum corneum, leading to poor barrier function and dry skin.
What lab findings support a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis?
Elevated IgE levels and eosinophils in the CBC. In patients that have received a
bone marrow transplant from patients with atopic dermatitis, will also develop
atopic dermatitis
What is the atopic triad?
Atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.
What are the earliest signs of atopic dermatitis in infants?
Redness, itching, and tiny red or pink papules.
, What is lichenification and when does it occur?
Skin thickening with pronounced lines due to chronic scratching; seen in older
children and adults with longstanding eczema.
Why does infantile atopic dermatitis typically appear around 2 months of age?
Because the infant's immune system needs time to develop enough to trigger
allergic responses. It is uncommon to see atopic dermatitis before 2 months.
What findings in infantile atopic dermatitis should raise concern for
staphylococcal infection?
Weeping or yellow crusting of lesions.
Which areas are commonly affected by atopic dermatitis in infants?
Forehead, cheeks, scalp, and extensor surfaces.
How does the presentation of atopic dermatitis change as children age?
Lesions become drier and more papular, with severe itching and plaque
formation in flexural areas like the antecubitals and popliteal fossae.
Why do flexural areas commonly develop plaques in older children?
These are sweat-prone areas; moisture evaporates, leading to skin dryness and
irritation—similar to drooling in infants.
What other symptoms may appear in older children with chronic atopic
dermatitis?
Cracking, scaling, and lichenification of the hands and feet, and
hyperpigmentation in chronic cases.
What percentage of children improve with age, and how many develop chronic
atopic dermatitis?
About 75% improve during childhood, while 25% continue into adolescence or
adulthood
What is the "three-minute rule" for managing eczema?
