CM: Making a Derm Dx

Question 1

What is a non-glabrous vs. a glabrous distribution?

Answer 1

non-glabrous = hair-bearing
glabrous = non-hair-bearing

Question 2

What is the name of the distribution where skin folds on itself?

Answer 2

intertriginous

Question 3

What is a periungual distribution?

Answer 3

around the fingernails

Question 4

What are classic examples of grouped distributions?

Answer 4

herpetiform - random grouping

zosteriform - grouping in dermatomes

Question 5

What are the different discriptors of a circular distribution?

Answer 5

annular = complete ring
archiform = incomplete ring
polycyclic = multiple rings - suggests subacute cutaneous lupus

Question 6

non-palpable change in skin color with distinct borders (usually 1 cm

Answer 6

macule

patch

Question 7

palpable solid lesion 1 cm in diameter

Answer 7

papule

nodule

Question 8

flat topped elevation of skin surface covering large area, wider than it is high

Answer 8

plaque

Question 9

fluid-containing superficial thin walled cavity 1 cm in diameter

Answer 9

vesicle

bulla

Question 10

What is the difference between an erosion and an ulcer?

Answer 10

erosions - loss of epidermis only - suggests blistering

ulcer - loss of epidermis and dermis

Question 11

pus containing, superficial thin walled cavity

Answer 11

pustule

Question 12

What diagnosis do target lesions suggest?

Answer 12

erythema multiforme

Question 13

What diagnoses do arciform lesions suggest?

Answer 13

granuloma annulare
leprosy
cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Question 14

What are secondary skin lesions?

Answer 14

excoriation, crust (dried exudates: serous, purulent, hemorrhagic), cyst, scar, lichenification (exaggerated skin markings), abscess, atrophy

Question 15

What does a violaceous color suggest?

Answer 15

connective tissue disease

Question 16

What signs indicate pathology involving the EPIDERMIS?

Answer 16

scale (psoriasiform, eczematous, ichthyotic)
increase/decrease in brown, grey or black pigmentation
usually NO erythema

Question 17

What signs indicate pathology involving the DERMIS?

Answer 17

edema, red or violaceous pigment
if blanches = erythema (intravascular pathology)
if doesn’t blanch = purpura (extravasation)
telangiectasias
blue, green or yellow pigmentation

Question 18

What signs indicate pathology involving the SUBCUTIS?

Answer 18

poorly demarcated border

fixation to underlying tissue

Question 19

If you have papules and plaques, with scale, what is it called?

Answer 19

papulo-squamous (dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, subacute cutaneous lupus, sec syphilis, etc)

Question 20

What is erythrodermic?

Answer 20

erythema and scale over most or all of body surface area (dermatitis, erythrodermic psoriasis, etc)

Question 21

What is ichthyosiform?

Answer 21

fish-like scale on skin

Question 22

If you have vesicles and bullae on skin what is it called?

Answer 22

vesico-bullous (herpes, EM, impetigo, pemphigus)

Question 23

What is it called if you see blisters with papules, plaques, ulcers, and erosions?

Answer 23

vesiculo-bullous

Question 24

What is it called if you have discrete, scarred papules or plaques?

Answer 24

sclerotic (may be atrophic)

Question 25

What is it called if you have papules, nodules, and/or plaques with ulceration within?

Answer 25

nodulo-ulcerative