International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

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What is the alternate term for cutis marmorata?

Mottling
Hyperplasia
Atrophy
Necrosis

The correct answer is: Mottling

Cutis marmorata is a term that refers to a condition characterized by a marbled appearance of the skin, typically seen in newborns or in individuals with fluctuating temperatures. The term "mottling" captures this phenomenon well, as it describes the patchy or irregular coloration of the skin. This mottled appearance is usually due to blood flow changes in the small blood vessels of the skin, leading to an alternation between pallor and cyanosis. It is often a normal physiological response to cooler temperatures or can appear in certain medical conditions, but it is primarily associated with infants, especially in response to temperature fluctuations. The other terms provided relate to different dermatological or pathological concepts. Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells within a tissue, atrophy describes a reduction in the size or wasting away of an organ or tissue, and necrosis indicates the death of cells or tissues in the body. These conditions do not describe the appearance or functioning of the skin in the same manner as cutis marmorata does. Thus, mottling is indeed the alternate term that best aligns with the characteristics of cutis marmorata.