Question

While conducting a routine physical examination, the nurse determines that a client is experiencing hyperplasia of melanocytes. What did the nurse assess to come to this conclusion?

1) Double chin
2) Purpura
3) Liver spots
4) Cherry hemangioma

Answer 1

The nurse determined that a client is experiencing hyperplasia of melanocytes, leading to the conclusion that liver spots are present, which are brown spots on the skin associated with increased melanin and aging.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse observes hyperplasia of melanocytes, they are noting an increase in the number of melanocytes, which can manifest as various changes in skin pigmentation. In this context, the correct answer would be 3) Liver spots, which are also known as age spots or solar lentigines. These marks are typically large brown spots on the skin that are often associated with aging and sun exposure. They can sometimes be mistaken for melanoma, which presents as large brown or black patches with uneven borders and a raised surface, as indicated in the reference materials. Liver spots result from hyperplasia of melanocytes and increased production of melanin, leading to darkened areas on the skin, often in sun-exposed areas.