Oregon Esthetician State Board

What term describes an abnormal brown or wine-colored skin discoloration with a circular shape?

1. Dyschromia

2. Stain

3. Nevus

4. Psoriasis

The correct answer is: Stain

The term that describes an abnormal brown or wine-colored skin discoloration with a circular shape is indeed "nevus." A nevus, commonly referred to as a mole, is a benign growth on the skin that can vary in color, size, and shape. They are often circular and can appear in shades ranging from brown to wine-colored, which aligns with the description provided in the question. Dyschromia refers to the variation in skin color, which may include hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation but does not specifically denote a circular discoloration. A stain typically denotes a discoloration resulting from exposure to a substance, such as a dye or chemical, but again lacks the specificity of the circular shape. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches that can appear on the skin, but it does not correlate with the description of a brown or wine-colored circular discoloration. In summary, the accurate term for an abnormal circular skin discoloration is "nevus," aligning perfectly with the characteristics mentioned in the question, while the other options represent different conditions or concepts that do not fit the description provided.