Oregon Written Tattoo Practice Test

Which lesion is identified as liquid debris that may include dried pus or blood?

1. Pustule

2. Crust

3. Vesicle

4. Ulcer

The correct answer is: Crust

The term describing a lesion characterized by liquid debris, which may include dried pus or blood, is "crust." Crusts typically form on the surface of the skin when bodily fluids, such as serum or exudate, dry out. This results in a hard, often yellow or brownish layer, which can occur after injury, infection, or inflammation. Understanding this is important for distinguishing crusts from other types of lesions. Pustules, for instance, are small elevations that contain pus inside but are not necessarily dried. Vesicles are fluid-filled sacs that do not contain dried material. Ulcers involve a loss of tissue which may expose deeper layers of skin but do not pertain specifically to the dried fluid aspect that defines a crust. Recognizing these distinctions can aid greatly in the assessment and treatment of skin conditions in a tattooing context and general dermatology.