NR 507 Week 8: Dermatological Conditions - Psoriasis, Rosacea &
Acne 2026 |Chamberlain
1. Which of the following is the primary cellular mechanism responsible for the
development of psoriasis?
A. B-cell mediated autoimmune destruction of melanocytes
B. IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to environmental allergens
C. Staphylococcal infection of the dermal layer
D. T-cell mediated inflammatory response causing keratinocyte hyperproliferation
Answer: D
Rationale: Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, proliferative skin disorder mediated by T-
helper cells (Th1 and Th17), leading to excessive keratinocyte proliferation and
inflammation.
2. What is the typical turnover time for keratinocytes in a patient with active
psoriasis compared to the normal 26-30 days?
A. 10-15 days
B. 45-60 days
C. The turnover time remains the same but the cells are larger
D. 3-4 days
Answer: D
Rationale: In psoriasis, the cell cycle of keratinocytes is greatly accelerated, reducing the
turnover time to about 3 to 4 days, which results in thickened epidermis and scale
formation.
,3. The ‘Auspitz sign’ in psoriasis refers to:
A. Development of lesions at the site of skin trauma
B. Pinpoint bleeding after the removal of a silver scale
C. A specific type of nail pitting
D. The central clearing of an annular plaque
Answer: B
Rationale: Auspitz sign is the appearance of small bleeding points after surface scales are
removed from a psoriatic plaque, due to the thinning of the epidermis over elongated
dermal papillae.
4. Which clinical phenomenon describes the development of new psoriatic
lesions in areas of skin injury or trauma?
A. Nikolsky sign
B. Koebner phenomenon
C. Herald patch
D. Darier sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The Koebner phenomenon is the development of skin lesions in areas of trauma
or irritation in patients with psoriasis or lichen planus.
5. Which form of psoriasis is characterized by small, drop-like papules appearing
suddenly on the trunk and extremities, often following a streptococcal
infection?
A. Plaque psoriasis
B. Pustular psoriasis
C. Erythrodermic psoriasis
D. Guttate psoriasis
Answer: D
, Rationale: Guttate psoriasis typically presents as small, salmon-pink papules and is
frequently triggered by a preceding streptococcal throat infection in children and young
adults.
6. Erythrodermic psoriasis is considered a medical emergency primarily because
of:
A. Loss of barrier function leading to thermoregulatory and fluid imbalances
B. Severe pruritus leading to permanent scarring
C. High risk of secondary skin cancer
D. Immediate progression to psoriatic arthritis
Answer: A
Rationale: Erythrodermic psoriasis involves widespread redness and scaling. The loss of
skin integrity can lead to severe dehydration, protein loss, and inability to regulate body
temperature.
7. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in approximately what percentage of individuals
diagnosed with psoriasis?
A. 2-5%
B. Over 75%
C. 10-30%
D. 50-60%
Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 10% to 30% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic
arthritis, an inflammatory joint disease associated with the skin condition.
Acne 2026 |Chamberlain
1. Which of the following is the primary cellular mechanism responsible for the
development of psoriasis?
A. B-cell mediated autoimmune destruction of melanocytes
B. IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to environmental allergens
C. Staphylococcal infection of the dermal layer
D. T-cell mediated inflammatory response causing keratinocyte hyperproliferation
Answer: D
Rationale: Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, proliferative skin disorder mediated by T-
helper cells (Th1 and Th17), leading to excessive keratinocyte proliferation and
inflammation.
2. What is the typical turnover time for keratinocytes in a patient with active
psoriasis compared to the normal 26-30 days?
A. 10-15 days
B. 45-60 days
C. The turnover time remains the same but the cells are larger
D. 3-4 days
Answer: D
Rationale: In psoriasis, the cell cycle of keratinocytes is greatly accelerated, reducing the
turnover time to about 3 to 4 days, which results in thickened epidermis and scale
formation.
,3. The ‘Auspitz sign’ in psoriasis refers to:
A. Development of lesions at the site of skin trauma
B. Pinpoint bleeding after the removal of a silver scale
C. A specific type of nail pitting
D. The central clearing of an annular plaque
Answer: B
Rationale: Auspitz sign is the appearance of small bleeding points after surface scales are
removed from a psoriatic plaque, due to the thinning of the epidermis over elongated
dermal papillae.
4. Which clinical phenomenon describes the development of new psoriatic
lesions in areas of skin injury or trauma?
A. Nikolsky sign
B. Koebner phenomenon
C. Herald patch
D. Darier sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The Koebner phenomenon is the development of skin lesions in areas of trauma
or irritation in patients with psoriasis or lichen planus.
5. Which form of psoriasis is characterized by small, drop-like papules appearing
suddenly on the trunk and extremities, often following a streptococcal
infection?
A. Plaque psoriasis
B. Pustular psoriasis
C. Erythrodermic psoriasis
D. Guttate psoriasis
Answer: D
, Rationale: Guttate psoriasis typically presents as small, salmon-pink papules and is
frequently triggered by a preceding streptococcal throat infection in children and young
adults.
6. Erythrodermic psoriasis is considered a medical emergency primarily because
of:
A. Loss of barrier function leading to thermoregulatory and fluid imbalances
B. Severe pruritus leading to permanent scarring
C. High risk of secondary skin cancer
D. Immediate progression to psoriatic arthritis
Answer: A
Rationale: Erythrodermic psoriasis involves widespread redness and scaling. The loss of
skin integrity can lead to severe dehydration, protein loss, and inability to regulate body
temperature.
7. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in approximately what percentage of individuals
diagnosed with psoriasis?
A. 2-5%
B. Over 75%
C. 10-30%
D. 50-60%
Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 10% to 30% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic
arthritis, an inflammatory joint disease associated with the skin condition.
