Which of the following is an example of a macule?

Study for the History and Physical (Handamp;P) Exam 1. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a macule?

Explanation:
Macules are flat, non-palpable changes in skin color that are less than 1 cm in diameter. A freckle is a textbook example: a small, flat brown spot that sits on the surface without any elevation. Cafe au lait spots are flat but larger than 1 cm, so they’re described as patches rather than macules. A nevus, or mole, is typically raised and palpable, though some flat forms exist; in common clinical description it’s usually not just a flat color change. An ulcer involves loss of skin tissue with breakage and depth, not simply a color change on intact skin, so it is not a macule.

Macules are flat, non-palpable changes in skin color that are less than 1 cm in diameter. A freckle is a textbook example: a small, flat brown spot that sits on the surface without any elevation. Cafe au lait spots are flat but larger than 1 cm, so they’re described as patches rather than macules. A nevus, or mole, is typically raised and palpable, though some flat forms exist; in common clinical description it’s usually not just a flat color change. An ulcer involves loss of skin tissue with breakage and depth, not simply a color change on intact skin, so it is not a macule.

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