Question

The patient has diffuse distribution of moles on the body and the nurse is preparing the patient for a punch biopsy of one of the moles. What is the benefit of doing a punch biopsy for this patient?

a. It is used for a superficial lesion.
b. It provides a full-thickness of skin.
c. It is used for good cosmetic results.
d. It is used because the lesion is too large to remove.

Answer 1

The punch biopsy provides a full-thickness skin sample allowing for thorough evaluation of the mole which is critical for accurate diagnosis, particularly for atypical or potentially malignant moles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The benefit of doing a punch biopsy for a patient with a diffuse distribution of moles is that it provides a full-thickness of skin. This is critical because a full-thickness biopsy can give the pathologist the entire structure of the mole which includes the epidermis, dermis, and sometimes the subcutaneous tissue. This comprehensive sample allows for a more accurate diagnosis compared to a superficial biopsy that may not include all layers of the skin. Additionally, if the mole is suspected to be atypical or malignant, such as a melanoma, the depth and the characteristics of the cells throughout the different layers of skin can be thoroughly evaluated.