Scenario
This 24 year old female presented to the emergency department complaining of painful lumps and redness confined to her lower legs which had developed over the last two weeks.
Question
a. Describe and interpret the photograph. (30%) b. List the likely etiological factors which may cause this condition. (70%)
Answer
FACEM VAQ Exam 2004.2 – Question 4
- Overall pass rate for this question was 51 / 64 (79.7%)
- The photograph shown of the lower legs is typical of erythema nodosum.
- The examiners felt this question tested general dermatological knowledge as the stem and picture left little doubt about the diagnosis.
- Nevertheless the description should have included important
negatives and normal features.- More testing was the list of aetiological factors, which need to be categorized and prioritized.
- Failing answers gave limited description and interpretation and were only able to offer a very limited list of etiological factors.
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