NP Dermatology Clinical Exam –
Comprehensive Test Bank (150 Q&A +
Detailed Rationales) | 2025 Updated
1. A 25-year-old patient presents with an erythematous, scaly patch
on the scalp that is pruritic. The lesion has a few broken hairs.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Tinea capitis
Rationale: Tinea capitis presents with erythematous, scaly
patches and hair loss due to fungal infection, commonly caused
by Trichophyton species.
2. Which topical treatment is considered first-line for mild localized
psoriasis?
Topical corticosteroids
Rationale: Low- to medium-potency topical corticosteroids
reduce inflammation and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes in
psoriasis.
3. A patient presents with grouped vesicles on an erythematous
base along a dermatome. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Herpes zoster
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) presents as painful vesicular
eruptions following a dermatome, caused by reactivation of
varicella-zoster virus.
4. Which of the following is a hallmark feature of atopic dermatitis in
children?
Flexural involvement
Rationale: Atopic dermatitis commonly affects flexural areas
such as the antecubital and popliteal fossae in children.
,5. A 40-year-old man presents with velvety, hyperpigmented
plaques on the neck and axillae. This is most likely:
Acanthosis nigricans
Rationale: Acanthosis nigricans presents with hyperpigmented,
velvety plaques and is often associated with insulin resistance.
6. A 55-year-old patient presents with a pearly nodule with
telangiectasia on the nose. Most likely diagnosis:
Basal cell carcinoma
Rationale: Basal cell carcinoma commonly appears as a pearly
nodule with telangiectasias, often on sun-exposed areas.
7. Which of the following is a common trigger for urticaria?
Allergic reactions
Rationale: Urticaria is often triggered by allergic reactions to
foods, drugs, or insect bites.
8. A patient presents with silvery-white scales on extensor surfaces
with nail pitting. Diagnosis:
Psoriasis vulgaris
Rationale: Psoriasis vulgaris typically involves extensor surfaces
and is associated with nail changes such as pitting.
9. What is the treatment of choice for mild acne vulgaris?
Topical retinoids
Rationale: Topical retinoids normalize follicular epithelial
desquamation and are first-line for mild acne.
10. A patient presents with target-shaped lesions on the
extremities after a recent infection. Most likely diagnosis:
Erythema multiforme
Rationale: Erythema multiforme presents with target lesions,
often triggered by infections like HSV.
, 11. Which organism is the most common cause of impetigo?
Staphylococcus aureus
Rationale: Impetigo is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus
aureus, presenting with honey-colored crusts.
12. A patient has multiple small, firm, pearly papules with
central umbilication. This is characteristic of:
Molluscum contagiosum
Rationale: Molluscum contagiosum caused by a poxvirus
produces umbilicated papules.
13. Which of the following is a typical feature of seborrheic
dermatitis?
Greasy scales on the scalp and face
Rationale: Seborrheic dermatitis presents with erythema and
greasy, yellowish scales on seborrheic areas.
14. First-line therapy for extensive tinea corporis:
Oral terbinafine
Rationale: Oral antifungals like terbinafine are used for
extensive or refractory dermatophyte infections.
15. A 32-year-old presents with painful, red nodules on the
anterior shins. Diagnosis:
Erythema nodosum
Rationale: Erythema nodosum presents as tender, red nodules
on the shins, often associated with infections or medications.
16. Which condition is characterized by a butterfly-shaped rash
over the cheeks?
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rationale: The malar rash of SLE involves the cheeks and bridge
of the nose, sparing the nasolabial folds.
Comprehensive Test Bank (150 Q&A +
Detailed Rationales) | 2025 Updated
1. A 25-year-old patient presents with an erythematous, scaly patch
on the scalp that is pruritic. The lesion has a few broken hairs.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Tinea capitis
Rationale: Tinea capitis presents with erythematous, scaly
patches and hair loss due to fungal infection, commonly caused
by Trichophyton species.
2. Which topical treatment is considered first-line for mild localized
psoriasis?
Topical corticosteroids
Rationale: Low- to medium-potency topical corticosteroids
reduce inflammation and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes in
psoriasis.
3. A patient presents with grouped vesicles on an erythematous
base along a dermatome. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Herpes zoster
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) presents as painful vesicular
eruptions following a dermatome, caused by reactivation of
varicella-zoster virus.
4. Which of the following is a hallmark feature of atopic dermatitis in
children?
Flexural involvement
Rationale: Atopic dermatitis commonly affects flexural areas
such as the antecubital and popliteal fossae in children.
,5. A 40-year-old man presents with velvety, hyperpigmented
plaques on the neck and axillae. This is most likely:
Acanthosis nigricans
Rationale: Acanthosis nigricans presents with hyperpigmented,
velvety plaques and is often associated with insulin resistance.
6. A 55-year-old patient presents with a pearly nodule with
telangiectasia on the nose. Most likely diagnosis:
Basal cell carcinoma
Rationale: Basal cell carcinoma commonly appears as a pearly
nodule with telangiectasias, often on sun-exposed areas.
7. Which of the following is a common trigger for urticaria?
Allergic reactions
Rationale: Urticaria is often triggered by allergic reactions to
foods, drugs, or insect bites.
8. A patient presents with silvery-white scales on extensor surfaces
with nail pitting. Diagnosis:
Psoriasis vulgaris
Rationale: Psoriasis vulgaris typically involves extensor surfaces
and is associated with nail changes such as pitting.
9. What is the treatment of choice for mild acne vulgaris?
Topical retinoids
Rationale: Topical retinoids normalize follicular epithelial
desquamation and are first-line for mild acne.
10. A patient presents with target-shaped lesions on the
extremities after a recent infection. Most likely diagnosis:
Erythema multiforme
Rationale: Erythema multiforme presents with target lesions,
often triggered by infections like HSV.
, 11. Which organism is the most common cause of impetigo?
Staphylococcus aureus
Rationale: Impetigo is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus
aureus, presenting with honey-colored crusts.
12. A patient has multiple small, firm, pearly papules with
central umbilication. This is characteristic of:
Molluscum contagiosum
Rationale: Molluscum contagiosum caused by a poxvirus
produces umbilicated papules.
13. Which of the following is a typical feature of seborrheic
dermatitis?
Greasy scales on the scalp and face
Rationale: Seborrheic dermatitis presents with erythema and
greasy, yellowish scales on seborrheic areas.
14. First-line therapy for extensive tinea corporis:
Oral terbinafine
Rationale: Oral antifungals like terbinafine are used for
extensive or refractory dermatophyte infections.
15. A 32-year-old presents with painful, red nodules on the
anterior shins. Diagnosis:
Erythema nodosum
Rationale: Erythema nodosum presents as tender, red nodules
on the shins, often associated with infections or medications.
16. Which condition is characterized by a butterfly-shaped rash
over the cheeks?
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rationale: The malar rash of SLE involves the cheeks and bridge
of the nose, sparing the nasolabial folds.
