Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) Practice Exam

Which skin condition is characterized by the separation of the epidermis from the dermis?

1. Skin maceration

2. Skin tears

3. Skin rash

4. Skin fungus

The correct answer is: Skin tears

The condition that features the separation of the epidermis from the dermis is skin tears. Skin tears typically occur when the skin is subjected to mechanical forces, such as friction or shearing, which can be particularly prevalent in older adults or those with fragile skin. This condition results in a wound that can vary in severity, often leading to an open area where the epidermal layer has been displaced from the underlying dermis. In contrast, skin maceration refers to the softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture, which does not involve the separation of skin layers. A skin rash is a general term for a variety of conditions characterized by changes in skin color or texture but does not imply a physical separation of skin layers. Similarly, skin fungus relates to fungal infections that affect the skin's surface but do not involve the separation of the epidermis and dermis either. Therefore, skin tears specifically denote the separation of these two layers, making it the right answer.