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OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is tinea versicolor. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how tinea versicolor will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a tradition question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a disease is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for tinea versicolor.
- Characteristic macules on skin:
- Itchy
- Hypo-pigmented
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
A 16 year old girl is brought to the clinic after 2 weeks of noticing areas on her chest and upper back that are lighter then the rest of her skin. She has had mild itching over these areas when she plays softball. A dermatological exam shows multiple flat, oval, hypo-pigmented macules over her chest and upper back. What is the likely diagnosis?
Explanation # 1
Itchy macules = tinea versicolor
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
- Pathogen responsible: Malassezia species of yeasts (such as Malassezia globes)
- Diagnosis: make with KOH scrapings. Spores and hypahge will be seen (show characteristic “spaghetti and meatballs” appearance of microscopy.
- Treatment: topical antifungal agents or selenium containing shampoo.
Page Updated: 11.08.2016