Assessment and prioritization
ABCDE (skin lesions)
Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving
The five features described when a skin lesion is being characterized. Same five letters as the trauma survey, entirely different content — which is exactly why exams like the pair.
What each letter stands for
- 1 Asymmetry — one half unlike the other.
- 2 Border — irregular or poorly defined edges.
- 3 Color — more than one shade within the lesion.
- 4 Diameter — commonly described using about 6 mm as the reference point.
- 5 Evolving — changing in size, shape or color over time.
How it gets tested
Asked as a definition item: which letter stands for which feature. The E is the one most often missed, because it was added to the list later than the other four.
Related terms
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