Skin cancer NCLEX questions for nursing students!
Skin cancer occurs when the cells in the skin mutate into cancerous cells. The type of skin cancer present depends on the skin cell affected by the mutation. There are two types of skin cancer: nonmelanoma and melanoma. These can be subdivided into basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. We will also be covering actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis.
Don’t forget to watch the lecture on skin cancer before taking the quiz.
Skin Cancer NCLEX Questions
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Skin Cancer NCLEX Questions
1. True or False: Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are both considered nonmelanoma types of skin cancer.
The answer is TRUE.
2. The epidermis consists of ________ layers with the innermost layer of the epidermis being known as the __________.
A. five, stratum lucidum
B. three, stratum spinosum
C. five, stratum basale
D. three, stratrum granulosum
The answer is C. The epidermis consists of FIVE layers with the innermost layer of the epidermis being known as the stratum basale.
3. Which statement is true regarding the pathophysiology of melanoma?
A. “Melanoma develops when keratinocytes mutate in the stratum germinativum.”
B. “Melanoma of the skin originates from melanocytes found in the stratum basale.”
C. “Melanoma only occurs on the skin and is the most aggressive type of skin cancer.”
D. Melanoma arises from the squamous cells in the stratum spinosum.”
The answer is B. This is the only correct statement about melanoma. It can occur anywhere in the body where there are melanocytes (example: middle layer of the eyes (uvea), epidermis etc.) and it originates from the melanocytes.
4. You’re providing teaching to a patient diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on the face. In your teaching, you are providing education on how this type of skin cancer develops. What information will you include in your patient education?
A. “Squamous cell skin cancer develops in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis and occurs due to mutated keratinocytes.”
B. “Squamous cell skin cancer develops in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis and occurs due to mutated basal cells.”
C. “Squamous cell skin cancer develops in the stratum basale layer of the epidermis and occurs due to mutated melanocytes.”
D. Squamous cell skin cancer develops in the stratum granulosum layer of the epidermis and occurs due to mutated squamous cells.”
The answer is A. Squamous cell skin cancer develops in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis and occurs due to mutated keratinocytes.
5. NOTE: Use the figures above to answer the next five questions. Which figure represents basal cell carcinoma?
A. Figure 1
B. Figure 2
C. Figure 3
D. Figure 4
The answer is A. Figure 1 is basal cell carcinoma and features pearly, waxy appearance with a slight depressed center and raised edges.
6. Which figure above represents a skin lesion that is mainly found in older white adults that can develop into squamous cell carcinoma?
A. Figure 1
B. Figure 2
C. Figure 3
D. Figure 4
The answer is C. This is known as actinic keratosis (solar keratosis). It is precancerous and can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. It tends to affect older white adults and forms in areas exposed to the sun. It will appear as scaly, reddened patches.
7. Which figure above represents squamous cell carcinoma?
A. Figure 1
B. Figure 2
C. Figure 3
D. Figure 4
The answer is B. This figure features squamous cell carcinoma because it has a crusty, scaly appearance and is raised.
8. As the nurse you know that which figure represents a type of skin cancer that is aggressive and has the highest risk of metastasizing?
A. Figure 1
B. Figure 2
C. Figure 3
D. Figure 4
The answer is D. Figure 4 represents melanoma. Use the acronym ABCDE to help you identify this type of skin cancer. This lesion is asymmetrical, has irregular borders, is dark in color, and has a diameter greater than 6mm. In addition, it has evolution in that it will increase in size, color, or shape.
9. Which figure above is the MOST common type of skin cancer?
A. Figure 1
B. Figure 2
C. Figure 3
D. Figure 4
The answer is A. Basal cell carcinoma is the MOST common type of skin cancer and is featured in figure 1.
10. You’re providing an in-service on skin cancer prevention to a local group of parents and grandparents. One topic you discuss is the identification of melanoma. Select all the characteristics of this type of skin cancer you will educate the participants about:
A. Diameter of 8 mm or higher
B. Red, purple, and black color
C. Dissimilar borders
D. Uniform appearance
E. Increase in size, shape, color
The answers are B, C, and E. When educating about how to identify melanoma using the ABCDE acronym. A: asymmetrical, B: borders uneven (dissimilar), C: color dark or multiple colors, D: diameter greater than 6 mm (NOT 8 mm). E: evolution (lesion increases in size, shape, color)
11. Identify the patients below who are at a HIGH risk for developing skin cancer. Select all that apply:
A. A 22-year-old female who reports using a tanning bed three times per week.
B. A 55-year-old male with dark skin that reports always wearing sunscreen while outdoors.
C. A 35-year-old female with light-colored skin and eyes that reports frequent sunburns as a child.
D. A 29-year-old who reports a family history of melanoma.
The answers are A, C, and D. Risk factors for skin cancer include too much exposure to the sun, usage of tanning beds, family history, light-colored skin and eyes, exposure to toxic chemicals on the skin, and frequent sunburns as a child.
12. You’re assessing a patient’s understanding about how to prevent skin cancer. Select all the statements that demonstrate the patient understood the education provided to them:
A. “I will try to avoid direct sun exposure at 11 am-5pm when the sunrays are the strongest.”
B. “I will use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher.”
C. “I will limit my tanning bed usage to two times per week.”
D. “It is very important I wear a hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeves to avoid too much sun exposure.”
The answers are B and D. Option A is wrong because the sunrays are the strongest from 10 am – 4 pm, and option B is wrong because tanning beds should be avoided all together to prevent skin cancer.
13. A patient has an electrodessication and curettage (EDC) performed to remove a skin cancer lesion. How will the nurse educate the patient on how to care for the surgical site?
A. Apply dry, sterile gauze with a nonstick bandage.
B. Apply a saline sterile gauze with a bandage.
C. Apply petroleum jelly to the site with a nonstick bandage.
D. Allow the site to stay open to air.
The answer is C. The site should be covered with petroleum jelly and nonstick bandage.
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