A 45-year-old farmer comes in for a skin evaluation and complains ...

[LCritchfi]

A 45-year-old farmer comes in for a skin evaluation and complains of hair loss on his head. His hair seems to be breaking off in patches, and he notices some scaling on his head. The nurse begins the examination suspecting:
 
  a. Tinea capitis.
  b. Folliculitis.
  c. Toxic alopecia. d.
  Seborrheic dermatitis.

Question 2

A physician has diagnosed a patient with purpura. After leaving the room, a nursing student asks the nurse what the physician saw that led to that diagnosis. The nurse should say, The physician is referring to the:
 
  a. Blue dilation of blood vessels in a star-shaped linear pattern on the legs.
  b. Fiery red, star-shaped marking on the cheek that has a solid circular center.
  c. Confluent and extensive patch of petechiae and ecchymoses on the feet.
  d. Tiny areas of hemorrhage that are less than 2 mm, round, discrete, and dark red in color.

[joanwhite]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Tinea capitis is rounded patchy hair loss on the scalp, leaving broken-off hairs, pustules, and scales on the skin, and is caused by a fungal infection. Lesions are fluorescent under a Wood light and are usually observed in children and farmers; tinea capitis is highly contagious.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Purpura is a confluent and extensive patch of petechiae and ecchymoses and a flat macular hemorrhage observed in generalized disorders such as thrombocytopenia and scurvy. The blue dilation of blood vessels in a star-shaped linear pattern on the legs describes a venous lake. The fiery red, star-shaped marking on the cheek that has a solid circular center describes a spider or star angioma. The tiny areas of hemorrhage that are less than 2 mm, round, discrete, and dark red in color describes petechiae.