CHAPTER 6 SKIN EXAM QUESTIONS
& ANSWER KEY.
Multiple Choice
1. A 35-year-old archaeologist comes to your office (located in Phoenix, Arizona) for a
regular skin check-up. She has just returned from her annual dig site in Greece. She has
fair skin and reddish-blonde hair. She has a family history of melanoma. She has many
Freckles Distributed across her skin. From this description, which of the following is not a
risk factor for melanoma in this patient?
A) Age
B) Hair color
C) Actinic lentigines
D) Heavy sun exposure
Ans: A
Description: The risk for melanoma is increased in people over the age of 50; our patient is 35
years old. The other answers represent known risk factors for melanoma. Especially with a
family history of melanoma, she should be instructed to keep her skin covered when in the sun
and use strong sunscreen on exposed areas.
2. You are speaking to an 8th grade class about health prevention and are preparing to
discuss the ABCDEs of melanoma. Which of the following descriptions correctly defines
the ABCDEs?
A) A = actinic; B = basal cell; C = color changes, especially blue; D = diameter >6 mm; E
= evolution
B) A = asymmetry; B = irregular borders; C = color changes, especially blue; D =
diameter >6 mm; E = evolution
Health Promotion and Counseling
, C) A = actinic; B = irregular borders; C = keratoses; D = dystrophic nails; E = evolution
D) A = asymmetry; B = regular borders; C = color changes, especially orange; D =
diameter >6 mm; E = evolution
Ans: B
Chapter: 06
Description: This is the correct description for the mnemonic.
3. You are beginning the examination of the skin on a 25-year-old teacher. You have
previously Uncovered that she came to the office for Assessment of fatigue, weight gain,
and hair loss. You strongly suspect that she has hypothyroidism. What is the expected
moisture and texture of the skin of a patient with hypothyroidism?
A) Moist and smooth
B) Moist and rough
C) Dry and smooth
D) Dry and rough
Ans: D
Chapter: 06
Description: A patient with hypothyroidism is expected to have skin that is dry as well as rough.
This is a good example of how the skin can give clues to systemic diseases.
4. A 28-year-old patient comes to the office for Assessment of a rash. At first there was only
one large patch, but then more lesions erupted suddenly on the back and torso; the
lesions itch. On physical examination, you note that the pattern of eruption is like a
Christmas tree and that there are a variety of erythematous papules and macules on the
cleavage lines of the back. Based on this description, what is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Pityriasis rosea
B) Tinea versicolor
C) Psoriasis
D) Atopic eczema
Health Promotion and Counseling