The nurse is performing an assessment on a 65-year-old man. He reports a crusty nodule behind the pinna. It intermittently bleeds and has not healed over the past 6 months. On physical assessment, the nurse finds an ulcerated crusted nodule with
an indurated base. The preliminary analysis in this situation is that this:
a.
Is most likely a benign sebaceous cyst.
b.
Is most likely a keloid.
c.
Could be a potential carcinoma, and the patient should be referred for a biopsy.
d.
Is a tophus, which is common in the older adult and is a sign of gout.
ANS: C
An ulcerated crusted nodule with an indurated base that fails to heal is characteristic of a carcinoma. These lesions fail to heal and intermittently bleed. Individuals with such symptoms should be referred for a biopsy (see Table 15-2). The other responses are not correct.
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