Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What skin lesion is associated with prolonged sun exposure and can potentially develop into skin cancer?

1. Actinic keratosis

2. Lentigo

3. Seborrheic keratosis

4. Skin tags

The correct answer is: Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a type of skin lesion that occurs as a result of prolonged sun exposure. These lesions typically present as rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, ears, scalp, and hands. They are considered precancerous because they have the potential to progress into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Understanding the nature of actinic keratosis is crucial for prevention and early intervention. Regular skin checks and protective measures against sun exposure, including the use of sunscreen and protective clothing, are important for individuals at risk. In contrast, other lesions mentioned, such as lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, and skin tags, do not carry the same risk for malignant transformation associated with prolonged sun exposure. Lentigo typically appears as flat, brown spots on the skin and is not precancerous, seborrheic keratosis is generally benign and usually presents as a raised, wart-like growth, and skin tags are benign outgrowths of skin. Therefore, actinic keratosis is specifically characterized by its potential for malignancy due to UV exposure, making it the correct answer.