Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

A patient presents with a beefy red maculopapular rash; what condition might the nurse suspect?

1. Candidiasis

2. Psoriasis

3. Shingles

4. Eczema

The correct answer is: Candidiasis

The description of a "beefy red maculopapular rash" aligns well with candidiasis, specifically cutaneous candidiasis, which is often characterized by red, inflamed skin that may also present with a maculopapular appearance. This condition typically occurs in warm, moist areas of the body where the Candida species can thrive, such as under the breasts, in skin folds, or around the groin. The rash can also be associated with pustules or scales, particularly in certain presentations. Other conditions, while they may involve rashes, have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from candidiasis. For example, psoriasis typically presents with silvery plaques and scales and is often more well-defined. Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, is associated with vesicular lesions that follow a dermatomal pattern, accompanied by pain. Eczema (atopic dermatitis), on the other hand, is usually characterized by dry, itchy, and often scaly skin, and may not typically appear as a beefy red rash. Thus, the specific characteristics of the rash presented in the question strongly point toward candidiasis as the most likely condition.