Practice Test Geeks(CDT) Certified Dermatology Tech Practice Test
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Dermatological Assessment Methods Flashcards

7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. A lesion is described as a 'plaque.' Which of the following best defines this primary skin lesion?

    Answer: A raised, flat-topped lesion greater than 1 cm in diameter

    A plaque is a raised, flat-topped, palpable lesion greater than 1 cm in diameter, often formed by confluence of papules.

  2. During a skin assessment, a technician notes 'telangiectasias.' These are best described as:

    Answer: Dilated superficial blood vessels visible through the skin

    Telangiectasias are permanently dilated small superficial blood vessels visible as red or purple linear marks on the skin surface.

  3. The Darier sign is elicited by stroking a skin lesion, causing it to urticate (wheal and flare). This sign is diagnostic for:

    Answer: Mastocytosis (urticaria pigmentosa)

    The Darier sign is pathognomonic for mastocytosis; stroking the lesion triggers mast cell degranulation, producing an immediate wheal and flare response.

  4. In documenting wound characteristics, the term 'slough' refers to:

    Answer: Yellow or tan moist devitalized tissue in a wound bed

    Slough is moist, yellow, tan, or green devitalized tissue in the wound bed that must be distinguished from healthy granulation tissue.

  5. A patient's lesion is described as 'umbilicated.' This means the lesion has:

    Answer: A central dell or pit

    Umbilicated lesions have a central depression or pit, characteristic of molluscum contagiosum and some viral skin infections.

  6. Which assessment technique is used to determine if a lesion is pulsatile or compressible in order to differentiate vascular from non-vascular lesions?

    Answer: Palpation with single-finger compression

    Palpation with single-finger compression determines whether a lesion is compressible (emptying under pressure), which suggests a vascular lesion like a hemangioma.

  7. When performing a KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation to assess for fungal infection, what does a positive result reveal under microscopy?

    Answer: Hyphae or pseudohyphae

    A positive KOH preparation shows hyphae, pseudohyphae, or spores (spaghetti-and-meatballs pattern in tinea versicolor), confirming fungal infection.