National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

A physical therapist assistant identifies a solid, elevated, sharply circumscribed lesion on the lower extremities. What is the appropriate term for this lesion?

1. Pustule

2. Macule

3. Cyst

4. Papule

The correct answer is: Papule

The described lesion is characterized as solid, elevated, and sharply circumscribed, which aligns with the definition of a papule. Papules are small, rounded bumps on the skin that are less than 1 centimeter in diameter and are raised above the surface. They can vary in color and texture but are typically well-defined, making them easily identifiable. In contrast, a pustule would refer to a similar lesion but filled with pus, common in inflammatory conditions such as acne. A macule is a flat, discolored spot on the skin that doesn’t have elevation, making it unsuitable for this description. A cyst, while also solid and sometimes elevated, usually contains a fluid or semi-solid material and often has a distinct structure that distinguishes it from a papule. Therefore, the accurate identification of the lesion as a papule is based on its solid, raised, and sharply defined characteristics.