Intro to Dermatology Flashcards
1
Q
What is the initial approach to a dermatological complaint?
A
- Examined first before history taken
- Diagnostic accuracy > when objective examination is approached without preconcieved ideas
2
Q
What is a general skin exam? Focused? Detailed?
A
- General: examine all skin surfaces- undress patient when applicable
- Focused: exam in area of concern
- Detailed: examine the individual lesions
3
Q
What are components of the skin exam in addition to the skin itself?
A
- Mucous membranes
- Genital and anal region
- Hair and nails
- Lymph nodes
4
Q
When seeing a lesion what are you looking for?
A
- Type of lesion
- Color
- Margination
- Consistency
- Shape
- Arrangement
- Distribution
5
Q
What is a macule?
A
- Flat, nonpalpable lesions usually <10 cm in diameter
- Represent change in color and are not raised or depressed compared to skin surface
- Patch is large macule
6
Q
What is a papule
A
- Elevated lesion usually <5 mm in diameter that can be felt or palpated
- Examples = nevi, warts
7
Q
What is a plaque?
A
- Palpable lesion >10 mm in diameter that are elevated or depressed compared to skin surface
- May be flate topped or rounded ie psoriasis and granuloma annulare
8
Q
What is a nodule?
A
- Firm lesion that extends into dermis or subcutaneous tissue > 5 mm
- EX: cysts, lipomas, fibromas
9
Q
What is a vesicle?
A
- Small, clear, fluid-filled blisters <10 mm in diameter
- Vesicles are characteristic of herpes infections, acute allergic contact dermatitis, and some autoimmune blistering disorders
10
Q
What is a bulla?
A
- Clear fluid-filled blisters >10 mm in diameter
- May be caused by burns, bites, irritant, or allergic contact dermatitis, and drug reactions
- Classic autoimmune bullous diseases - pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid
11
Q
What is a pustule?
A
- Vesicle that contains pus
- Common in bacterial infections and folliculitis and may arise in some inflammatory disorders including pustular psoriasis
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12
Q
What is urticaria?
A
- Wheals or hives characterized by elevated lesions caused by localized edema
- Wheals are pruritic and red
- Wheals = common manifestation of hypersensitivity to drugs, stings or bites, autoimmunity, physical stimuli ie temp, pressure, sunlight
- Typically lasts <24 hr
13
Q
What is a scale?
A
- Heaped up accumulation of horny epithelium
- Occur in disorders such as psoriasis, seb derm, fungal infections
14
Q
What is a crust?
A
- Dried serum, blood, or pus
- Can occur in inflammatory or infectious skin diseases
15
Q
What are erosions?
A
- Open areas of skin that result from loss of part or all of the epidermis
- Can be traumatic or occur with inflammatory or infectious skin disease
16
Q
What is an excoriation?
A
Linear erosion caused by scratching, rubbing, or picking
17
Q
What is an ulcer?
A
- Due to loss of epidermis and at least part of dermis
18
Q
What are causes of ulcers?
A
- Venous stasis dermatitis
- Physical trauma with or without vascular compromise
- Infections
- Vasculitis
19
Q
What is petechiae?
A
- Nonblanchable punctate foci of hemorrhage
20
Q
What are causes of petechiae?
A
- Platelet abnormalities (thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction)
- Vasculitis
- Infections (meningococcemia, rocky mountain spotted fever, rickettsioses)
21
Q
What is purpura?
A
Larger area of hemorrhage that may be palpable
22
Q
What are causes of purpura?
A
- Leukocytoclastic vasculitis has palpable purpura
- Coagulopathy
- Ecchymoses