Derm Exam Clinical Signs, Techniques, And Tests

Question 1

Auspitz Sign

Answer 1

When Slight scratching of a scaly lesion reveals pinpoint bleeding within lesion

Question 2

Nikolsky Phenomenon

Answer 2

When the epidermidis is dislodged from the dermis by sharing pressure, resulting in erosion and a red base.

Question 3

Koebner Phenomenon

Answer 3

When a skin lesion appears at the site of trauma or injury.

Question 4

Hand lens

Answer 4

Magnification (7x)

Question 5

Woods Lamp

Answer 5

Black light, detects subtle color changes in melanin pigmentation

Question 6

Diascopy

Answer 6

Firmly pressing a slide against the skin to determine whether the redness is due to capillary dilation (erythema; blanches, or extravasation of blood (purpura; no blanching)

Question 7

Dermoscopy

Answer 7

Hand lens with a built-in lighting and magnification (10-30x). Permits, noninvasive, inspection of epidermidis and beyond. Helpful in distinguishing between benign and malignant patterns of growth.

Question 8

Skin allergy tests

Answer 8

Patch testing, Prick testing

Question 9

Acetowhitening

Answer 9

Application of vinegar. Genital verruca/verrucae will appear white

Question 10

Culture and Sensitivity

Answer 10

Can be taken from skin cells, blood, or sputum. Can confirm bacteria, virus, or fungus and direct Antimicrobial therapy.

Question 11

KOH Exam

Answer 11

Distinguishes fungal infections (looking for budding yeast and/or hyphae).

Question 12

Tzanck smear

Answer 12

Scraping and ulcers base to look for giant multi nucleated cells (not common anymore)

Question 13

Scabies test (skin scraping)

Answer 13

Unroofing a lesion or burrow to find mites, ova, or feces on microscopy.

Question 14

Biopsy types

Answer 14

Shave, punch, excisional

Question 15

Moh’s Procedure

Answer 15

Skin sparing procedure used often for the face to remove malignancies in the most efficient way possible. Performed in an outpatient setting utilizing skin mapping.

Question 16

What information should be included in a prescription?

Answer 16

Clinic Info, Patient info (with DOS), Drug info, SIG (instructions), Quantity, # of refills, substitutions, provider name (w/ signature)

Question 17

What information should be included with Drug Info on a prescription?

Answer 17

Name, strength, formulation

Question 18

what information should be included with SIG on an Rx?

Answer 18

Dose, route, frequency, length/duration of treatment, indication

Question 19

What is an example of a medication that generally should not have refills?

Answer 19

ABx

Question 20

Write an Rx for 6 days of prn ibuprofen (w/o refills).

Answer 20

Rx: Ibuprofen 200 mg tablets
SIG: Take 1 200 mg tablet by mouth every 6 hours as needed for 6 days for fever.
Qty: 30 (24 with a few extra)

Question 21

What are some health history questions you could ask for a derm issue?

Answer 21

Constitutional symptoms
PMH: Recent illnesses, allergies, atopic Hx, transfusions, or other skin issues
SoH: smoking, alcohol, substance abuse. Travel, occupation, exposures, sexual Hx
FHx: skin cancer, psoriasis, atopy

Question 22

What are some color changes that may present on the skin?

Answer 22

Hypo/hyperpigmentation, depigmentation, erythema, pallor, jaundice, cyanosis