Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

Which hyperkeratotic lesions are usually found on the plantar surface of the foot?

1. Corns

2. Fissures

3. Callus

4. Hammertoes

The correct answer is: Callus

Corns are hyperkeratotic lesions that typically develop on the plantar surface of the foot, particularly over bony prominences. They are characterized by a thickened area of skin caused by repeated pressure or friction, often resulting from ill-fitting footwear or abnormal foot mechanics. The primary location on the foot where corns usually occur is on the toes, although they can also form on the bottom of the foot. Callus, which is the correct answer, also forms on the plantar surface as a protective response to friction and pressure, but it generally covers a larger area and is less defined than corns. The thickened skin of a callus accumulates gradually in response to chronic irritation, and unlike corns, it is not typically painful unless it becomes excessively thickened. In contrast, fissures are cracks that can develop in the skin but are not hyperkeratotic lesions themselves. Hammertoes refer to a specific deformity of the toe and are not lesions. Both fissures and hammertoes may occur in combination with calluses or corns, particularly if there is pressure or friction involved, but they are not classified as hyperkeratotic lesions on the plantar surface.