Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

Which hyperkeratotic lesions are typically the result of repeated friction and pressure on the toes?

1. Corns

2. Fissures

3. Calluses

4. Both corns and calluses

The correct answer is: Both corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are both hyperkeratotic lesions that develop as a response to repeated friction and pressure on the skin, particularly on the toes. The formation of these lesions is a protective mechanism of the skin, aimed at preventing injury to deeper tissues. Corns typically occur on areas of the skin that are frequently subjected to friction, such as the tops and sides of toes, often as a result of ill-fitting shoes or repetitive activities. They are usually localized, with a central core that can be quite painful. Calluses, on the other hand, tend to form on weight-bearing areas of the feet, including the soles and the balls of the feet. They are generally broader and flatter than corns and provide an area of thickened skin that helps protect against further abrasion and stress. Both conditions are manifestations of the skin's response to continuous mechanical irritation, highlighting their shared etiology linked to friction and pressure, thus making both corns and calluses the correct response to the question.