Skin Conditions & Pathology for Light Therapy Flashcards
6 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 6 Skin Conditions & Pathology for Light Therapy flashcards as text
What is the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Scale used to determine?
Answer: A client's skin response to UV exposure, guiding safe light therapy dosing
The Fitzpatrick Scale classifies skin from Type I (always burns, never tans) to Type VI (never burns, deeply pigmented) to help determine appropriate UV and light exposure parameters.
Which condition involves benign, pigmented lesions that should not be treated with targeted light therapy without physician clearance?
Answer: Dysplastic (atypical) nevi
Dysplastic nevi have an increased risk of melanoma development, and applying light therapy to them without dermatologic evaluation could delay diagnosis of malignant change.
A client with lupus erythematosus requests light therapy for a separate skin concern. What is the most appropriate response?
Answer: Obtain physician clearance, as lupus clients can have severe photosensitivity reactions to UV and visible light
Lupus is associated with significant photosensitivity, and even visible light can trigger flares; physician clearance and careful wavelength selection are mandatory.
What is the significance of the term 'photosensitizing medications' for a CLT?
Answer: These drugs increase the skin's sensitivity to light, raising the risk of burns or adverse reactions during therapy
Common photosensitizing medications (e.g., tetracyclines, NSAIDs, diuretics) lower the skin's burn threshold, requiring dosage reduction or avoidance of certain light therapies.
Which type of scarring is raised above the normal skin surface and extends beyond the original wound boundary?
Answer: Keloid scar
Keloid scars are characterized by excessive collagen growth that extends beyond the wound margins and can continue to grow over time, unlike hypertrophic scars.
What is the primary concern when applying light therapy near areas affected by active eczema (atopic dermatitis) flares?
Answer: Disrupted skin barrier increases risk of irritation, infection, and unpredictable light absorption
During active flares, the compromised skin barrier increases sensitivity, reduces predictability of light absorption, and elevates infection risk from any microabrasion.