Skin Examination

Question 1

distribution

Answer 1

which areas are affected and which are not

Question 2

configuration

Answer 2

how the lesions are arranged 
grouped 
discrete 
confluent 
annular (ring)

Question 3

morphology

Answer 3

what the lesions look like

Question 4

Purpura

Answer 4

will not blanche - may be raised due to extravasation (leakage) of blood

Question 5

petechia

Answer 5

smaller 1-2 mm area of flat purpura

Question 6

erythema

Answer 6

blanches on pressure, due to vascular dilation

Question 7

pigmentation

Answer 7

hypo-pigmentation

hyper-pigmentation

Question 8

flat lesions

Answer 8

level with normal skin i.e. localised colour change
macule = < 1cm
patch = >1cm

Question 9

raised lesions

Answer 9

can feel above skin surface i.e. localised elevated area
papule = <0.5cm
nodule = >0.5cm

Question 10

fluid filled raised lesion

Answer 10

vesicle = <0.5cm

bulla =>0.5 cm

Question 11

cyst

Answer 11

nodule containing semi-solid material

Question 12

pustule

Answer 12

pus-filled

Question 13

plaque

Answer 13

raised edge and flatter surface >1cm (if width greater than depth)

Question 14

wheal

Answer 14

compressible dermal swelling

Question 15

border features

Answer 15

well-defined/poorly-defined

regular/irregular

Question 16

scale

Answer 16

accumulated fragments of the keratin layer

Question 17

crust

Answer 17

dried exudate e.g. serum

Question 18

lichenified

Answer 18

thickening with increased skin markings

Question 19

scar

Answer 19

normal tissue replaced with fibrous tissue

Question 20

fissures

Answer 20

linear split in epidermis

Question 21

atrophy

Answer 21

loss of epidermis +/- dermis (surface remains intact)

Question 22

erosion

Answer 22

superficial break in epidermis

Question 23

ulcer

Answer 23

deeper break into dermis