NURSING MSN 571 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026
◉ Most common type of skin cancer. Answer: basal cell carcinoma
◉ basal cell carcinoma symptoms. Answer: Appearance varies;
smooth, shiny bump, pink to pearly white
◉ Basal cell carcinoma common locations. Answer: cheeks, nose,
face, neck, arms, back
◉ basal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard. Answer: biopsy. if
not an option, refer to derm
◉ Actinic keratosis. Answer: Precursor to squamous cell carcinoma
numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly
texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
◉ Actinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard. Answer: Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
,◉ Actinic keratosis treatment gold standard. Answer: small-
cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication Causes
skin to ooze, crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
◉ squamous cell cancer. Answer: chronic red scaly rough textured
lesion w/ irregular borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
◉ Squamous cell carcinoma common locations. Answer: rims of
ears, lips, nose, face and top of hands
◉ precursor lesion to squamous cell cancer. Answer: actinic
keratosis
◉ squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by?. Answer: biopsy gold
standard. if biopsy is not an option, refer to dermatology .
◉ Risk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-melanoma).
Answer: Blistering sunburn as a child, history of sunburns, light skin,
chronic exposure to UV light (sunlight/tanning beds), moles, family
hx for skin cancer
,◉ Melanoma symptoms (ABCDE). Answer: asymmetry
(shape/uneven texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
◉ Acral lengtiginous melanoma. Answer: Most common type of
melanoma in dark skinned individuals (blacks & asians)
--> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a
changing spot or mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
◉ seborrheic keratosis. Answer: soft, round, wart-like growth that is
light tan to black and looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
◉ Bacterial Meningitis Bacteria. Answer: Streptococcus
pneumoniae- most common strain
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitidis
Escherichia coli
*others
, ◉ Bacterial meningitis symptoms (Classic Triad). Answer: High fever
Nuchal rigidity
rapid change in mental status w/ headache
Triad=neck up
erythematous spot-like rash (petechiae) ecchymosis to purple-
colored lesions (purpura) which are non-blanchable
◉ Is bacterial meningitis a reportable disease. Answer: yes!
◉ Treatment for Bacterial meningitis-patient. Answer: IV Abx ASAP,
resp/droplet iso for first 24-48 hrs, hydrate (low maintenance after
initial fluid correction), Maintain ventilation and reduce increased
intra cranial pressure if present (dexamethosone(to reduce
inflammation, mannitol to diurese the brain), low stim environment,
tx complications that may arrive and support family
◉ Treatment for bacterial meningitis-close encounter. Answer: Close
contacts should be treated w/ rifampin 600 mg q 12 hours x 2 days
**Rifampin changes urine color to reddish orange and can stain
contacts
**AVOID RIFAMPIN IN PREGNANCY
GUIDE 2026
◉ Most common type of skin cancer. Answer: basal cell carcinoma
◉ basal cell carcinoma symptoms. Answer: Appearance varies;
smooth, shiny bump, pink to pearly white
◉ Basal cell carcinoma common locations. Answer: cheeks, nose,
face, neck, arms, back
◉ basal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard. Answer: biopsy. if
not an option, refer to derm
◉ Actinic keratosis. Answer: Precursor to squamous cell carcinoma
numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly
texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
◉ Actinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard. Answer: Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
,◉ Actinic keratosis treatment gold standard. Answer: small-
cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication Causes
skin to ooze, crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
◉ squamous cell cancer. Answer: chronic red scaly rough textured
lesion w/ irregular borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
◉ Squamous cell carcinoma common locations. Answer: rims of
ears, lips, nose, face and top of hands
◉ precursor lesion to squamous cell cancer. Answer: actinic
keratosis
◉ squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by?. Answer: biopsy gold
standard. if biopsy is not an option, refer to dermatology .
◉ Risk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-melanoma).
Answer: Blistering sunburn as a child, history of sunburns, light skin,
chronic exposure to UV light (sunlight/tanning beds), moles, family
hx for skin cancer
,◉ Melanoma symptoms (ABCDE). Answer: asymmetry
(shape/uneven texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
◉ Acral lengtiginous melanoma. Answer: Most common type of
melanoma in dark skinned individuals (blacks & asians)
--> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a
changing spot or mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
◉ seborrheic keratosis. Answer: soft, round, wart-like growth that is
light tan to black and looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
◉ Bacterial Meningitis Bacteria. Answer: Streptococcus
pneumoniae- most common strain
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitidis
Escherichia coli
*others
, ◉ Bacterial meningitis symptoms (Classic Triad). Answer: High fever
Nuchal rigidity
rapid change in mental status w/ headache
Triad=neck up
erythematous spot-like rash (petechiae) ecchymosis to purple-
colored lesions (purpura) which are non-blanchable
◉ Is bacterial meningitis a reportable disease. Answer: yes!
◉ Treatment for Bacterial meningitis-patient. Answer: IV Abx ASAP,
resp/droplet iso for first 24-48 hrs, hydrate (low maintenance after
initial fluid correction), Maintain ventilation and reduce increased
intra cranial pressure if present (dexamethosone(to reduce
inflammation, mannitol to diurese the brain), low stim environment,
tx complications that may arrive and support family
◉ Treatment for bacterial meningitis-close encounter. Answer: Close
contacts should be treated w/ rifampin 600 mg q 12 hours x 2 days
**Rifampin changes urine color to reddish orange and can stain
contacts
**AVOID RIFAMPIN IN PREGNANCY
