Macule
A flat, circumscribed change in skin color less than 1 cm
Definition
A macule is a flat, nonpalpable skin lesion with altered coloration that is less than 1 cm in diameter. Larger flat lesions are patches.
Examples
- Freckles
- Flat moles (nevi)
- Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages)
- Café-au-lait spots
- Vitiligo (depigmented patches)
Related Primary Lesions
- Papule: Elevated, less than 1 cm (wart, small mole).
- Plaque: Elevated, greater than 1 cm (psoriasis).
- Vesicle: Fluid-filled less than 1 cm (chickenpox).
- Bulla: Fluid-filled greater than 1 cm.
- Pustule: Pus-filled vesicle.
- Nodule: Firm, deeper lesion.
Nursing Considerations
Document skin lesions systematically: size, color, distribution, edges, associated symptoms (pain, itching). Assess changes using ABCDE for moles: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution.
NCLEX Relevance
Primary skin lesion terminology is frequently tested.