Oregon Esthetician State Board

What characterizes primary lesions?

1. Non-palpable changes in skin color

2. Bumps filled with pus

3. Inflammatory lesions only

4. Raised areas of persistent redness

The correct answer is: Non-palpable changes in skin color

Primary lesions are defined as initial changes in the skin that can indicate an underlying condition or disease. They typically arise from normal tissue and represent the first stage of skin pathology. Non-palpable changes in skin color, such as macules or patches, are indeed examples of primary lesions and are characterized by the alteration of the skin's surface without any elevation or depression. Understanding the other choices helps clarify this definition. Bumps filled with pus represent secondary lesions or complications like pustules which arise from infection or inflammation of primary lesions. Inflammatory lesions only refer to those that show signs of inflammation, which may include redness or swelling but do not encompass the entirety of primary lesions, many of which may not be inflammatory. Lastly, raised areas of persistent redness, such as papules or plaques, also refer to specific types of lesions but do not capture the full range of non-palpable primary lesions. Therefore, identifying non-palpable color changes provides a broader understanding of what constitutes primary lesions in skin pathology.