Skin Lesion Cheat Sheet

Question 1

Small pinpoint (1 to 3 mm) reddish-purple spots

Answer 1

Petechiae (Vascular)

Question 2

Collection of blood in the dermis greater than 3 mm in diameter. Initially reddish-purple, but will change to blue or yellow during healing

Answer 2

Ecchymosis (vascular)

Question 3

Collection of petechiae and ecchymosis covering an area.

Answer 3

Purpura (vascular)

Question 4

Small (less than 1 cm diameter) area of pigmentation change.

Answer 4

Macule (flat)

Question 5

Larger (greater than 1 cm diameter) area of pigmentation change

Answer 5

Patch (flat)

Question 6

Small (less than 1 cm diameter) area

Answer 6

Papule (raised)

Question 7

Larger (greater than 1 cm diameter) disc shaped area

Answer 7

Plaque (raised)

Question 8

Irregular area of edema on the skin

Answer 8

Wheal (raised)

Question 9

Small (less than 2 cm) firm area arising from deeper in the dermis

Answer 9

Nodule (raised)

Question 10

Larger (greater than 2 cm) firm area arising from deeper in the dermis

Answer 10

Mass (raised)

Question 11

Small (less than 1 cm in diameter) superficial, filled with serous fluid

Answer 11

Vesicle (Raised-Fluid Filled)

Question 12

Larger (greater than 1 cm in diameter) superficial, filled with serous fluid

Answer 12

Bulla (raised-fluid filled)

Question 13

Small (less than 1 cm in diameter) superficial, filled with purulent fluid

Answer 13

Pustule (raised-fluid filled)

Question 14

Encapsulated, arising from dermis or subcutaneous layer, filled with liquid or semi-solid fluid

Answer 14

Cyst or Abscess (raised-fluid filled)

Question 15

Thickened and elevated skin caused by long-term, intense scratching or rubbing

Answer 15

Crust (Debris on Surface of Skin)

Question 16

Excessive shedding of keratin cells from the epidermis. Appears as dry or greasy small flakes that are white or silvery.

Answer 16

Scale (Debris on Surface of Skin)

Question 17

Skin debris usually on wounds, stringy, moist, yellow

Answer 17

Slough (Debris on Surface of Skin)

Question 18

Straight line crack with abrupt edges that extends into the dermis

Answer 18

Fissure (Alteration of Integrity)

Question 19

Shallow depression only present in the epidermis layer. Appears moist but without bleeding

Answer 19

Erosion (Alteration of Integrity)

Question 20

Deeper depression involving loss of epidermis and dermis. May bleed

Answer 20

Ulceration (Alteration of Integrity)

Question 21

Linear erosions, usually from scratching

Answer 21

Excoriation (Alteration of Integrity)