Dermatology for the AANP FNP exam
Skin questions are repeatedly cited by AANP candidates as heavily represented. Visual identification is rare on AANP; questions test description-to-diagnosis. This chapter has 15 topics, a video lecture, an audio lesson, clinical scenarios, exam pearls and a quiz.
What you will learn
- Differentiate common dermatoses by morphology and location
- Recognize skin cancer presentations using ABCDE
- Identify common pediatric skin conditions
- Apply first-line treatment for tinea, herpes zoster, and acne
Topics in this chapter
- Acne and rosaceaAcne by severity (comedonal/inflammatory/nodular), topical and systemic treatment, rosacea differential.
- Eczema (atopic and other)Atopic dermatitis stepwise (emollients, TCS by potency, TCI, biologics), nummular, contact (allergic vs irritant), seb derm.
- PsoriasisPlaque psoriasis stepwise, guttate, pustular, erythrodermic, psoriatic arthritis, biologics overview.
- Skin infectionsCellulitis vs erysipelas vs abscess, impetigo, MRSA, tinea differential, candida, herpes, varicella, warts.
- Skin cancerBCC, SCC, melanoma recognition (ABCDE), actinic keratosis, biopsy thresholds, sun protection counseling.
- Common benign growthsSeborrheic keratosis, skin tags, lipoma, sebaceous cyst, cherry angioma, nevi.
- Pigmentary disordersVitiligo, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation differential.
- Urticaria and angioedemaAcute vs chronic urticaria, angioedema causes (allergic, ACE-induced, hereditary), management algorithms.
- Hair and nail disordersAlopecia types, telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, onychomycosis, paronychia.
- Drug eruptionsMorbilliform exanthem, SCARs (SJS, TEN, DRESS), photo-induced, fixed drug eruption, recognition and management.
- Pruritus workupPruritus differential (dermatologic vs systemic), workup, antihistamines, emollients, neuropathic itch.
- Tick-borne & danger-signal rashesErythema migrans, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and meningococcemia: tick-and-systemic rashes where missing the pattern can cost a life.
- Bites: spider, animal & humanBrown recluse, plus human and animal bites: when to give antibiotic prophylaxis, when to worry about tendons and rabies, and the role of tetanus.
- Burns: depth, extent & referralRule of nines, depth classification, and the burn-center referral criteria the exam expects you to recognize.
- Other common rashes & eruptionsPityriasis rosea, molluscum, hidradenitis suppurativa, tinea versicolor, and herpetic whitlow: the look-alike rashes with signature clues.
The full chapter is part of the membership. Open this chapter
Last updated November 4, 2026. Verify exam details against the official AANPCB Candidate Handbook before exam day.