Patient Consultation & Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real CLT 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 Consultation & Assessment flashcards as text
A male patient presents for laser hair removal on the back but has dense, coarse gray hair. What should the consultation address?
Answer: Gray and white hair lack melanin and do not respond to standard laser hair removal; alternative options should be discussed
Laser hair removal targets melanin in the hair follicle; gray and white hair have little to no melanin, making them unresponsive to conventional laser systems.
Why is it important to ask about a patient's tanning history—including self-tanning products—before a laser procedure?
Answer: Self-tanners and UV tanning temporarily increase melanin, raising the risk of epidermal damage during treatment
Both UV tanning and self-tanning products increase epidermal melanin, which competes with follicular melanin as a laser target and raises the risk of burns and dyspigmentation.
Which of the following is the BEST example of appropriate documentation after a laser consultation?
Answer: Signed informed consent, completed intake form, Fitzpatrick typing, and pre-treatment photos in the patient file
Thorough documentation—including signed consent, medical history, skin typing, and baseline photographs—provides legal protection and ensures continuity of care.
A patient is interested in laser treatment for melasma. What key factor must be assessed during consultation?
Answer: Triggers such as hormonal contraceptives, sun exposure, and pregnancy, which can cause melasma to worsen after treatment
Melasma is hormonally and UV-driven; identifying and addressing triggers is essential because treatment without controlling triggers often results in rapid recurrence.
When assessing a patient for laser skin rejuvenation, what does evaluating skin laxity help determine?
Answer: Whether the patient would benefit from tightening modalities versus resurfacing, and helps set realistic expectations
Skin laxity assessment distinguishes between patients who need surface texture improvement versus those requiring tissue tightening, guiding modality selection and expectation management.
A patient reveals they have a pacemaker. Which laser procedure presents the greatest concern?
Answer: Electrical stimulation-based devices used in conjunction with laser treatment
Electrical stimulation devices (e.g., microcurrent, electroporation) used alongside laser treatments can interfere with pacemaker function; standalone optical laser systems present minimal pacemaker risk.
During a consultation for laser leg vein treatment, the patient mentions they stand for 10+ hours per day at work. Why is this clinically relevant?
Answer: Prolonged standing increases venous pressure and may cause rapid recurrence; lifestyle modification should be discussed
Occupational factors like prolonged standing increase venous hypertension, which can cause treated vessels to recur quickly without adjunctive lifestyle changes like compression stockings.