Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

Which term describes a discolored, flat lesion such as freckles or tattoo marks?

1. Patch

2. Macule

3. Fissure

4. Polyp

The correct answer is: Macule

The term that accurately describes a discolored, flat lesion, such as freckles or tattoo marks, is macule. Macules are defined as small, flat areas of discoloration on the skin, typically less than a centimeter in diameter. They do not protrude above the surface of the surrounding skin, which differentiates them from raised lesions. Freckles are a common example, representing small brown spots resulting from increased pigmentation. Tattoo marks also consist of various pigments deposited into the skin, forming flat, discolored areas. Both of these examples align with the characteristics of macules, making this term the most appropriate choice for describing such lesions. In contrast, a patch would typically refer to a larger area of discoloration, while a fissure indicates a crack or split in the skin. A polyp is a growth that extends from a mucous membrane, which is entirely different in nature from flat lesions like macules.