NURS 5220 ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT EXAM 1 2026-2027
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP Q&A |
UTA
1. A 45-year-old female presents with a red, pruritic, vesicular
rash on her wrists that appeared two days after wearing a new
nickel-plated watch. Which of the following best categorizes
this condition? A. Irritant contact dermatitis
B. Allergic contact dermatitis
C. Atopic dermatitis
D. Seborrheic dermatitis
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Allergic contact dermatitis is a type IV cell-
mediated hypersensitivity reaction occurring after re-
exposure to an allergen such as nickel. Irritant contact
dermatitis occurs from non-immunologic physical/chemical
damage, whereas atopic dermatitis is a chronic, hereditary
inflammatory condition.
2. A primary care provider examines a patient with a solitary,
painful, localized pustule surrounding a hair follicle on the
scalp. If the infection deepens to involve the entire
,pilosebaceous unit and adjacent tissue, forming a tender nodule
with central suppuration, it is termed a: A. Folliculitis
B. Furuncle
C. Cellulitis
D. Paronychia
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: A furuncle (boil) is a deep-seated infection
originating in the pilosebaceous unit, whereas folliculitis is
a superficial inflammation of the hair follicle. Cellulitis is a
diffuse, non-necrotizing infection of the dermis and
subcutaneous tissue, and paronychia involves the lateral
nail folds.
3. A 62-year-old male presenting with systemic signs of
infection exhibits a spreading, ill-defined erythematous, warm,
and edematous plaque on his right lower leg. No fluctuant fluid
collection is palpable. What is the most likely diagnosis? A.
Eczematous dermatitis
B. Stasis dermatitis
C. Cellulitis
D. Tinea corporis
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Cellulitis presents as a diffuse, acute, spreading
infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, commonly
, presenting with erythema, warmth, and swelling without
localized fluctuance. Stasis dermatitis is related to chronic
venous insufficiency and typically lacks acute systemic
infectious signs.
4. A 10-year-old child presents with multiple annular lesions on
the trunk featuring peripheral scaling and central clearing. Direct
microscopic examination with potassium hydroxide (KOH)
reveals hyphae. This clinical picture is characteristic of: A.
Tinea (dermatophytosis)
B. Pityriasis rosea
C. Psoriasis
D. Actinic keratosis
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: Dermatophytosis (tinea) is a noncandidal fungal
infection involving the stratum corneum, nails, or hair,
classically presenting with expanding annular plaques with
active scaly borders. Pityriasis rosea presents with a herald
patch and a "Christmas tree" distribution, while psoriasis
involves silver scales on extensor surfaces.
5. A 22-year-old college student presents with a single oval,
salmon-pink lesion on the back, followed two weeks later by a
widespread eruption of smaller scaly macules along skin
, cleavage lines. What is the expected disease course for this
condition? A. Malignant progression requiring surgical excision
B. Chronic relapsing course requiring lifelong systemic
immunosuppression
C. Self-limiting resolution within 6 to 8 weeks
D. Rapid bacterial spread requiring intravenous antibiotics
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Pityriasis rosea is a self-limiting inflammatory
condition of unknown etiology that typically begins with a
"herald patch" and resolves spontaneously within weeks
without aggressive intervention.
6. Examination of a patient's elbows and knees reveals well-
demarcated, erythematous plaques covered with thick, silvery-
white scales. Biopsy would most likely show which primary
underlying process? A. Keratinocyte hyperproliferation
B. Viral-induced epidermal dysplasia
C. Deep dermal venous thrombosis
D. Autoimmune destruction of melanocytes
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory
skin disorder characterized by marked hyperproliferation of
keratinocytes in the epidermis.
ASSESSMENT EXAM 1 2026-2027
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP Q&A |
UTA
1. A 45-year-old female presents with a red, pruritic, vesicular
rash on her wrists that appeared two days after wearing a new
nickel-plated watch. Which of the following best categorizes
this condition? A. Irritant contact dermatitis
B. Allergic contact dermatitis
C. Atopic dermatitis
D. Seborrheic dermatitis
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: Allergic contact dermatitis is a type IV cell-
mediated hypersensitivity reaction occurring after re-
exposure to an allergen such as nickel. Irritant contact
dermatitis occurs from non-immunologic physical/chemical
damage, whereas atopic dermatitis is a chronic, hereditary
inflammatory condition.
2. A primary care provider examines a patient with a solitary,
painful, localized pustule surrounding a hair follicle on the
scalp. If the infection deepens to involve the entire
,pilosebaceous unit and adjacent tissue, forming a tender nodule
with central suppuration, it is termed a: A. Folliculitis
B. Furuncle
C. Cellulitis
D. Paronychia
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: A furuncle (boil) is a deep-seated infection
originating in the pilosebaceous unit, whereas folliculitis is
a superficial inflammation of the hair follicle. Cellulitis is a
diffuse, non-necrotizing infection of the dermis and
subcutaneous tissue, and paronychia involves the lateral
nail folds.
3. A 62-year-old male presenting with systemic signs of
infection exhibits a spreading, ill-defined erythematous, warm,
and edematous plaque on his right lower leg. No fluctuant fluid
collection is palpable. What is the most likely diagnosis? A.
Eczematous dermatitis
B. Stasis dermatitis
C. Cellulitis
D. Tinea corporis
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Cellulitis presents as a diffuse, acute, spreading
infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, commonly
, presenting with erythema, warmth, and swelling without
localized fluctuance. Stasis dermatitis is related to chronic
venous insufficiency and typically lacks acute systemic
infectious signs.
4. A 10-year-old child presents with multiple annular lesions on
the trunk featuring peripheral scaling and central clearing. Direct
microscopic examination with potassium hydroxide (KOH)
reveals hyphae. This clinical picture is characteristic of: A.
Tinea (dermatophytosis)
B. Pityriasis rosea
C. Psoriasis
D. Actinic keratosis
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: Dermatophytosis (tinea) is a noncandidal fungal
infection involving the stratum corneum, nails, or hair,
classically presenting with expanding annular plaques with
active scaly borders. Pityriasis rosea presents with a herald
patch and a "Christmas tree" distribution, while psoriasis
involves silver scales on extensor surfaces.
5. A 22-year-old college student presents with a single oval,
salmon-pink lesion on the back, followed two weeks later by a
widespread eruption of smaller scaly macules along skin
, cleavage lines. What is the expected disease course for this
condition? A. Malignant progression requiring surgical excision
B. Chronic relapsing course requiring lifelong systemic
immunosuppression
C. Self-limiting resolution within 6 to 8 weeks
D. Rapid bacterial spread requiring intravenous antibiotics
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: Pityriasis rosea is a self-limiting inflammatory
condition of unknown etiology that typically begins with a
"herald patch" and resolves spontaneously within weeks
without aggressive intervention.
6. Examination of a patient's elbows and knees reveals well-
demarcated, erythematous plaques covered with thick, silvery-
white scales. Biopsy would most likely show which primary
underlying process? A. Keratinocyte hyperproliferation
B. Viral-induced epidermal dysplasia
C. Deep dermal venous thrombosis
D. Autoimmune destruction of melanocytes
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory
skin disorder characterized by marked hyperproliferation of
keratinocytes in the epidermis.
