PHR 913 Block 1 Exam Questions and
Answers
What are the characteristics of contact dermatitis? - correct Answer-Inflammation,
redness, itching, burning, stinging, and vesicle and pustule formation on the skin.
What are the two primary types of contact dermatitis? - correct Answer-Irritant contact
dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)
Who is at an increased risk for ICD? - correct Answer-Individuals who frequently wash
their hands, handle food, or have repeated contact with irritants (eg. hairstylists,
dishwashers)
Most instances of ICD occur on exposed areas of the skin, such as... - correct Answer-
The face and dorsal surfaces of the hands and arms
What are the mechanisms responsible for causing ICD? - correct Answer-Disruption of
the skin barrier, changes in the cells of the epidermis, and release of pro-inflammatory
cytokines.
What affects the magnitude of the skin response? - correct Answer-Presence of existing
skin conditions, quantity and concentration of substance exposure, clothing,
environmental factors
What is the clinical presentation of ICD? - correct Answer-Inflammation, swelling, and
redness of the skin. Then it can become dry, painful, cracked, and inflamed. Itching,
stinging, and burning also commonly occur.
T or F: Symptoms always appear as soon as the skin is exposed to the irritant. - correct
Answer-False. Symptoms can be delayed.
Chronic forms of ICD can present with lichenification, which is... - correct Answer-
Leathery thickening of the skin
Name of couple of substances that can cause ICD. - correct Answer-Acids, alkalis,
detergents, soaps, hand sanitizers, epoxy resins, ethylene oxide, fiberglass, flour, oils,
oxidants, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, solvents, urine and feces, water, wood dust
and products
What are the goals in treating ICD? - correct Answer-1. Remove offending agent and
prevent future exposure
,2. Relieve inflammation, tenderness, and irritation
3. Educate the patient on self-management
What is the general treatment approach to ICD? - correct Answer-Institute preventative
measures to avoid further irritant exposure
What are some nonpharmacologic therapies to use for ICD? - correct Answer-Wash the
exposed area with copious amounts of tepid water and cleanse with a mild or
hypoallergenic soap.
What are some pharmacologic therapies to use for ICD? - correct Answer--Liberal
application of emollients to the AA.
-Colloidal oatmeal baths may help relieve itching.
-Corticosteroids may reduce inflammation and itching (but don't fix the issue at hand).
What pharmacological therapies should be avoided for ICD? - correct Answer-Topical
caine-type anesthetics and agents (propylene glycol, lactic acid, urea, and salicylic acid)
should be avoided because of the ability to cause further skin irritation and possible
ACD.
What are some preventative measures for ICD? - correct Answer-Wear protective
clothing
What are the most common causes of ACD in the United States? - correct Answer-
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Also, nickel (jewelry) and latex (gloves,
socks).
T or F: ACD ordinarily doesn't appear on first contact. - correct Answer-True
What type of plant causes urushiol ACD? - correct Answer-Toxicodendron
How much of the population is believed to be sensitive to urushiol? - correct Answer-
80%
T or F: Generally, if a patient is allergic to one form of a Toxicodendron plant, then
they're likely allergic to the other forms as well - correct Answer-True
How do you identify Toxicodendron plants? - correct Answer-Contains three leaves
protruding from a central stem (leaves of three, let it be). However, some can grow
differently and include flowers and berries.
T or F: Burning Toxicodendron plants is safe because the urushiol won't "spread". -
correct Answer-False. Urushiol can "spread" by the fire and infect lungs or other
protected areas.
, How else can urushiol be spread throughout the body? - correct Answer-Unwashed
hands, feet, or shoes
T or F: ACD can't occur on the genitalia. - correct Answer-False
What is the most common Toxicodendron plant? - correct Answer-Poison ivy
How can one usually tell the difference between ACD and ICD? - correct Answer-ICD is
usually only found on the arms and back of the hands. ACD is wherever the allergen
comes into contact with the body.
Urushiol-induced ACD usually appears in a ______ fashion. - correct Answer-Linear
T or F: Urushiol can be transmitted from inanimate objects for up to 5 years. - correct
Answer-True
T or F: Urushiol-induced rashes can spread. - correct Answer-False. They just appear to
do so because different areas of the skin absorb it at different rates.
T or F: ACD can be transmitted through the oozing and weeping of vesicular fluid. -
correct Answer-False. The fluid doesn't contain any antigenic material.
When is medical referral needed for urushiol-induced ACD? - correct Answer-When it
affects the eyes, genitalia, face, or large surface areas, as well as secondary infections
from scratching. Also when the patient is younger than 2.
What are the goals in treating ACD? - correct Answer-1. Remove and avoid further
contact
2. Treat inflammation
3. Relieve itching and prevent excessive scratching
4. Relieve accumulation of debris from oozing, crusting, and scaling of vesicle fluids
5. Prevent secondary infections
Treated or untreated ACD will resolve in approximately _____ ____. - correct Answer-
10-21 days
Why would hydrocortisone be applied to ACD? - correct Answer-To relieve itching and
inflammation. Only use in small amounts. This is ideal for weeping lesions.
What if the lesions aren't weeping? - correct Answer-Then you can use calamine or
colloidal oatmeal
What's the problem with hydrocortisone? - correct Answer-It's a steroid and shouldn't be
applied over large areas to avoid toxicity
Answers
What are the characteristics of contact dermatitis? - correct Answer-Inflammation,
redness, itching, burning, stinging, and vesicle and pustule formation on the skin.
What are the two primary types of contact dermatitis? - correct Answer-Irritant contact
dermatitis (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)
Who is at an increased risk for ICD? - correct Answer-Individuals who frequently wash
their hands, handle food, or have repeated contact with irritants (eg. hairstylists,
dishwashers)
Most instances of ICD occur on exposed areas of the skin, such as... - correct Answer-
The face and dorsal surfaces of the hands and arms
What are the mechanisms responsible for causing ICD? - correct Answer-Disruption of
the skin barrier, changes in the cells of the epidermis, and release of pro-inflammatory
cytokines.
What affects the magnitude of the skin response? - correct Answer-Presence of existing
skin conditions, quantity and concentration of substance exposure, clothing,
environmental factors
What is the clinical presentation of ICD? - correct Answer-Inflammation, swelling, and
redness of the skin. Then it can become dry, painful, cracked, and inflamed. Itching,
stinging, and burning also commonly occur.
T or F: Symptoms always appear as soon as the skin is exposed to the irritant. - correct
Answer-False. Symptoms can be delayed.
Chronic forms of ICD can present with lichenification, which is... - correct Answer-
Leathery thickening of the skin
Name of couple of substances that can cause ICD. - correct Answer-Acids, alkalis,
detergents, soaps, hand sanitizers, epoxy resins, ethylene oxide, fiberglass, flour, oils,
oxidants, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, solvents, urine and feces, water, wood dust
and products
What are the goals in treating ICD? - correct Answer-1. Remove offending agent and
prevent future exposure
,2. Relieve inflammation, tenderness, and irritation
3. Educate the patient on self-management
What is the general treatment approach to ICD? - correct Answer-Institute preventative
measures to avoid further irritant exposure
What are some nonpharmacologic therapies to use for ICD? - correct Answer-Wash the
exposed area with copious amounts of tepid water and cleanse with a mild or
hypoallergenic soap.
What are some pharmacologic therapies to use for ICD? - correct Answer--Liberal
application of emollients to the AA.
-Colloidal oatmeal baths may help relieve itching.
-Corticosteroids may reduce inflammation and itching (but don't fix the issue at hand).
What pharmacological therapies should be avoided for ICD? - correct Answer-Topical
caine-type anesthetics and agents (propylene glycol, lactic acid, urea, and salicylic acid)
should be avoided because of the ability to cause further skin irritation and possible
ACD.
What are some preventative measures for ICD? - correct Answer-Wear protective
clothing
What are the most common causes of ACD in the United States? - correct Answer-
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Also, nickel (jewelry) and latex (gloves,
socks).
T or F: ACD ordinarily doesn't appear on first contact. - correct Answer-True
What type of plant causes urushiol ACD? - correct Answer-Toxicodendron
How much of the population is believed to be sensitive to urushiol? - correct Answer-
80%
T or F: Generally, if a patient is allergic to one form of a Toxicodendron plant, then
they're likely allergic to the other forms as well - correct Answer-True
How do you identify Toxicodendron plants? - correct Answer-Contains three leaves
protruding from a central stem (leaves of three, let it be). However, some can grow
differently and include flowers and berries.
T or F: Burning Toxicodendron plants is safe because the urushiol won't "spread". -
correct Answer-False. Urushiol can "spread" by the fire and infect lungs or other
protected areas.
, How else can urushiol be spread throughout the body? - correct Answer-Unwashed
hands, feet, or shoes
T or F: ACD can't occur on the genitalia. - correct Answer-False
What is the most common Toxicodendron plant? - correct Answer-Poison ivy
How can one usually tell the difference between ACD and ICD? - correct Answer-ICD is
usually only found on the arms and back of the hands. ACD is wherever the allergen
comes into contact with the body.
Urushiol-induced ACD usually appears in a ______ fashion. - correct Answer-Linear
T or F: Urushiol can be transmitted from inanimate objects for up to 5 years. - correct
Answer-True
T or F: Urushiol-induced rashes can spread. - correct Answer-False. They just appear to
do so because different areas of the skin absorb it at different rates.
T or F: ACD can be transmitted through the oozing and weeping of vesicular fluid. -
correct Answer-False. The fluid doesn't contain any antigenic material.
When is medical referral needed for urushiol-induced ACD? - correct Answer-When it
affects the eyes, genitalia, face, or large surface areas, as well as secondary infections
from scratching. Also when the patient is younger than 2.
What are the goals in treating ACD? - correct Answer-1. Remove and avoid further
contact
2. Treat inflammation
3. Relieve itching and prevent excessive scratching
4. Relieve accumulation of debris from oozing, crusting, and scaling of vesicle fluids
5. Prevent secondary infections
Treated or untreated ACD will resolve in approximately _____ ____. - correct Answer-
10-21 days
Why would hydrocortisone be applied to ACD? - correct Answer-To relieve itching and
inflammation. Only use in small amounts. This is ideal for weeping lesions.
What if the lesions aren't weeping? - correct Answer-Then you can use calamine or
colloidal oatmeal
What's the problem with hydrocortisone? - correct Answer-It's a steroid and shouldn't be
applied over large areas to avoid toxicity
