PSI Barbering Practice Exam

Which term describes skin lesions that exhibit collections of pus?

1. Abscesses

2. Pustules

3. Macules

4. Wheals

The correct answer is: Pustules

The term that describes skin lesions characterized by collections of pus is pustules. Pustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled bumps on the skin that often appear as red or pale areas with a yellowish or whitish head, indicating the presence of pus. This pus is usually a mixture of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris, resulting from the body’s immune response to infection or irritation. Abscesses are larger, deeper collections of pus that can occur in the skin or the tissue beneath it, and while they contain pus, they are not typically described as lesions in the same way pustules are. Macules are flat, discolored spots on the skin without elevation or pus, and wheals are raised, itchy areas that are usually a part of an allergic reaction, often with a clear border and no pus. Therefore, pustules specifically denote the small lesions that contain pus, making them the correct answer to the question.