Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

A round, raised skin lesion with itching is known as what?

1. Urticaria

2. Pustule

3. Wheal

4. Vesicle

The correct answer is: Wheal

A round, raised skin lesion that is accompanied by itching is identified as a wheal. Wheals are typically associated with an allergic reaction and manifest as elevated areas of the skin that can vary in size and shape. They are often red or skin-colored and may be surrounded by redness. The itching sensation is a common characteristic of wheals due to histamine release from mast cells in response to an allergen. Urticaria refers to the condition commonly known as hives, which consists of multiple wheals occurring together. While related to wheals, the term describes a broader condition involving many such lesions rather than a single round raised lesion. Pustules are raised lesions that contain pus and are typically associated with infections or inflammatory skin conditions. They do not primarily present with itching as their main characteristic, and they differ from wheals in both appearance and content. Vesicles are small fluid-filled blisters that can also arise from various inflammatory conditions and infections. They differ from wheals in that they contain clear fluid, rather than being characterized solely by elevated areas of the skin without fluid. Thus, the identification of wheal as the round, raised, itchy skin lesion underscores its specific characteristics associated with allergic reactions, making it the correct answer.