Dermatologist Certificate Trivia 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which US state became the first to ban commercial tanning beds for minors under 18, paving the way for similar legislation nationwide?
- California (Correct answer)
- New York
- Texas
- Florida
Correct answer: California
California became the first US state to ban indoor tanning for minors under 18 in 2011, citing increased melanoma risk.
Question 2: The 'ABCDE' criteria for melanoma evaluation stands for asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and what fifth feature added later?
- Evolving (Correct answer)
- Elevation
- Erosion
- Erythema
Correct answer: Evolving
The 'E' in ABCDE was later defined as 'evolving,' meaning any change in size, shape, color, or new symptom over time warrants evaluation.
Question 3: Which dermatological sign—a positive Nikolsky sign—is characterized by what response when lateral pressure is applied to normal-appearing skin?
- Epidermal shearing and blister formation (Correct answer)
- Blanching of erythema
- Induration of the skin
- Darkening of the lesion
Correct answer: Epidermal shearing and blister formation
A positive Nikolsky sign occurs when gentle lateral pressure causes the epidermis to slide or shear off, indicating fragile epidermal cohesion as in pemphigus.
Question 4: What is the most common primary malignant skin tumor worldwide by incidence?
- Basal cell carcinoma (Correct answer)
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Merkel cell carcinoma
Correct answer: Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human cancer overall, accounting for approximately 80% of all non-melanoma skin cancers.
Question 5: Which skin-associated lymphoma is the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and presents with patches, plaques, and tumors?
- Mycosis fungoides (Correct answer)
- Sézary syndrome
- Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma
- Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma
Correct answer: Mycosis fungoides
Mycosis fungoides is the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, progressing from eczematous patches to plaques to tumors.
Question 6: The Auspitz sign, elicited by removing a psoriatic scale and seeing pinpoint bleeding, reflects what underlying histological feature?
- Dilated tortuous capillaries in elongated dermal papillae (Correct answer)
- Dermal neutrophilic infiltrate
- Acanthosis of the epidermis
- Parakeratosis of the stratum corneum
Correct answer: Dilated tortuous capillaries in elongated dermal papillae
Auspitz sign results from the very thin suprapapillary plate in psoriasis; removing scale exposes the engorged capillary tips, causing punctate bleeding.
Question 7: Which connective tissue disorder classically presents with a heliotrope rash around the eyes and Gottron's papules over the knuckles?
- Dermatomyositis (Correct answer)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Systemic sclerosis
- Mixed connective tissue disease
Correct answer: Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis features a violaceous heliotrope rash on eyelids and Gottron's papules over the metacarpophalangeal joints, associated with proximal muscle weakness.
Dermatologist Certificate Trivia 4
Which US state became the first to ban commercial tanning beds for minors under 18, paving the way for similar legislation nationwide?