Question

Jackson Michaels, a 65-year-old male, is seen by a dermatologist for a suspicious skin lesion on the right forearm. The healthcare provider believes that the lesion is cancerous. Mr. Jackson is upset and asks what the next step for him will be. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

1) "You will require months of chemotherapy to treat this cancer."
2) "The provider has ordered scratch tests for next week. We will know more after we do the procedure and get the results."
3) "You will need to have a culture done on the lesion to determine if you have cancer."
4) "The provider has ordered a biopsy of the lesion. Prognosis and treatment will be determined once the results are back."

Answer 1

The correct course of action for a suspicious skin lesion is to perform a biopsy. The results will inform the prognosis and subsequent treatment. Melanoma is typically identified by its asymmetrical shape, irregular borders, and varied color.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate response by the nurse regarding the course of action for Mr. Jackson, who presents with a suspicious skin lesion, is option 4: "The provider has ordered a biopsy of the lesion. Prognosis and treatment will be determined once the results are back." A biopsy is a standard procedure for diagnosing suspicious lesions and differentiating between benign moles and potentially cancerous growths like melanoma. Characteristics of melanomas include asymmetry, irregular borders, varied color, and may have larger diameter, which can be recalled using the ABCDE mnemonic.