Practice Test Geeks(CDT) Certified Dermatology Tech Practice Test
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Patient Education & Counseling 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.

Read the first 7 Patient Education & Counseling flashcards as text

  1. A pregnant patient asks which acne treatment is safest during pregnancy. The dermatology tech should indicate that:

    Answer: Topical clindamycin and topical azelaic acid are generally considered safe options

    Topical clindamycin and azelaic acid are among the few acne treatments with acceptable safety profiles during pregnancy.

  2. When counseling a patient about the proper order of applying skin care products, which sequence is correct?

    Answer: Cleanser → Toner → Serum → Moisturizer → Sunscreen

    Products should be layered from thinnest to thickest consistency, with sunscreen always applied last in the morning routine.

  3. A patient asks how to differentiate a sebaceous cyst from a lipoma. The most useful distinguishing feature to explain is:

    Answer: Sebaceous cysts often have a visible central punctum and may have discharge; lipomas are soft, movable without a punctum

    A punctum (small pore opening) and possible cheesy discharge are hallmarks of a sebaceous cyst, while lipomas are soft, freely movable fatty deposits with no punctum.

  4. Which instruction should be given to a patient starting narrow-band UVB phototherapy for psoriasis?

    Answer: Wear protective eyewear during treatment and report any new blistering or burns

    Protective goggles must be worn during NB-UVB therapy to prevent ocular damage, and any blistering warrants immediate reporting.

  5. A patient treated for scabies asks why all household members need treatment even if they have no symptoms. The correct explanation is:

    Answer: Infested individuals may be asymptomatic for up to 6 weeks while still transmitting mites to others

    The sensitization phase of scabies can take 4–6 weeks in a first infestation, meaning contacts can spread mites before noticing any itch.

  6. When a patient asks about the difference between a benign seborrheic keratosis and a potentially dangerous lesion, the best educational point is:

    Answer: Seborrheic keratoses have a 'stuck-on,' waxy, warty appearance and are not pre-cancerous

    Seborrheic keratoses have a characteristic stuck-on, waxy appearance and sharply defined borders; they are benign and not pre-malignant.

  7. A patient newly diagnosed with vitiligo asks if the condition will spread. The appropriate counseling response is:

    Answer: The course of vitiligo is unpredictable; some patients stabilize while others experience ongoing spread, and triggers like stress may worsen it

    Vitiligo has a variable and unpredictable course; sun protection, stress management, and treatment can help but cannot guarantee stability.