FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

What could multiple café-au-lait spots larger than a quarter indicate?

1. Normal birthmarks

2. Neurofibromatosis

3. Skin irritation

4. Presence of Mongolian spots

The correct answer is: Neurofibromatosis

Multiple café-au-lait spots larger than a quarter could indicate neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder characterized by the development of multiple benign tumors on the nerves, as well as certain skin changes. Specifically, individuals with type 1 neurofibromatosis often present with café-au-lait spots, which are light brown macules or patches, and the presence of these spots is considered one of the criteria for diagnosing the condition. In neurofibromatosis, the size and number of café-au-lait spots are important for evaluating the likelihood of the disorder. Generally, having six or more spots measuring larger than 5 mm in prepubescent individuals (or larger than 15 mm in postpubescent individuals) is a significant diagnostic criterion. Other choices do not adequately explain the presence of multiple large café-au-lait spots. Normal birthmarks would typically not resemble café-au-lait spots and wouldn't have the specific characteristics that raise concern for neurofibromatosis. Skin irritation might present with redness, swelling, or other signs of distress but would not explain the stable, pigmented nature of café-au-lait spots. Lastly, Mongolian spots are blue or blue-gray pigmentation that usually occurs in infants of darker skin pigmentation and