A 14-year-old girl presents to the nurse practitioner with complaints of papules, pustules, and nodules on her face. What is the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris?
The disease can be triggered by psychological factors such as stress, and by exposure to certain environmental substances or allergens.
It is caused by the solar irradiation of UVA/UVB rays.
Comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and/or cysts form as a result of obstruction and inflammation of pilosebaceous units.
Sustained inflammation leads to uncontrolled keratinocyte proliferation and dysfunctional differentiation.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: While stress and environmental factors may exacerbate acne, they are not the primary pathophysiological mechanism. Acne vulgaris is fundamentally driven by changes in the pilosebaceous unit, not psychological or allergenic triggers alone.
Choice B reason: UVA/UVB exposure may contribute to skin damage and inflammation, but it is not the direct cause of acne. In fact, some UV exposure may temporarily suppress inflammation, though it is not a therapeutic strategy and does not explain the formation of acne lesions.
Choice C reason: Acne vulgaris results from obstruction and inflammation of pilosebaceous units. This process begins with increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, and colonization by Cutibacterium acnes, leading to comedones and inflammatory lesions such as papules, pustules, and nodules.
Choice D reason: Keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation abnormalities are more characteristic of conditions like psoriasis. While keratinization plays a role in acne, this description does not fully capture the multifactorial pathogenesis involving sebum, bacteria, and inflammation.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This describes the pathophysiology of macular degeneration, not diabetic retinopathy. Macular degeneration involves the breakdown of photoreceptor cells in the macula, leading to central vision loss, but is not directly caused by diabetes.
Choice B reason: Diabetic retinopathy is caused by chronic hyperglycemia leading to microvascular damage in the retina. This includes capillary leakage, microaneurysms, and neovascularization, which can result in retinal edema, hemorrhage, and ultimately vision loss. It is a leading cause of blindness in adults with diabetes.
Choice C reason: This describes the pathophysiology of cataracts, where lens proteins become denatured and coagulated, leading to opacity. While cataracts are more common in diabetics, this is not the mechanism of diabetic retinopathy.
Choice D reason: This describes the pathophysiology of glaucoma, which involves increased intraocular pressure due to impaired aqueous humor drainage. Although glaucoma can co-occur with diabetes, it is not the primary mechanism of diabetic retinopathy.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, most commonly caused by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. It presents with warmth, erythema, swelling, and tenderness, often with systemic symptoms. The infection typically enters through breaks in the skin.
Choice B reason: This describes acne or folliculitis, which involves inflammation of pilosebaceous units. Cellulitis affects deeper layers of the skin and is not limited to hair follicles.
Choice C reason: This describes the pathogenesis of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Psoriasis involves keratinocyte hyperproliferation, not infection.
Choice D reason: Psychological stress and environmental allergens may exacerbate certain dermatologic conditions like eczema or urticaria, but they are not causative factors in cellulitis, which is infectious in origin.
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