Identify the incorrect statement related to Mongolian spot in new-born baby?

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Explanation

The statement that Mongolian spots indicate parental abuse is definitively false.
Mongolian spots, or congenital dermal melanocytosis, are benign birthmarks caused by pigment cells (melanocytes) in the dermis.
They are not caused by trauma or injury and are non-tender.
A key nursing responsibility is to document these spots at birth to prevent them from being mistaken for bruises (ecchymosis) later, which could lead to wrongful suspicions of child abuse.

Option A: This statement is considered correct in the context of the question. Mongolian spots typically fade and often disappear completely within the first few years of life.
Option B: This statement is correct. The characteristic appearance of a Mongolian spot is a flat, macular lesion with a gray-blue or slate-gray color.
Option C: This statement is correct. While most common on the lumbosacral region, Mongolian spots can appear on other parts of the body and are most prevalent in infants with darker skin tones.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics and differential diagnosis of Mongolian spots (Congenital Dermal Melanocytosis) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary role is accurate assessment and meticulous documentation of Mongolian spots at birth to establish a baseline and prevent misidentification.
Patient education is vital. Nurses should reassure parents that these spots are harmless, common birthmarks that will fade over time, alleviating potential anxiety.
Clear documentation is a critical patient safety and advocacy measure, protecting families from wrongful and traumatic child abuse allegations.

How to Approach the Question

This is a negative-lead question asking for the INCORRECT statement. Your goal is to identify the one false statement among three true ones.
First, recall the definition and key features of a Mongolian spot: it's a congenital, benign, blue-gray birthmark common in dark-skinned infants.
Evaluate each option against this core knowledge. A) Timeline of fading. B) Color and texture. C) Location and population. D) Cause.
Option D proposes an external cause (abuse) that directly contradicts the definition of a Mongolian spot as a congenital birthmark. This is a strong candidate for the incorrect statement.
Confirm that the other options are generally true characteristics. While the exact timeline in option A can vary, it reflects the general course. The statement about abuse is a fundamental error, making it the correct answer to this 'find the incorrect statement' question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Characteristics and differential diagnosis of Mongolian spots (Congenital Dermal Melanocytosis).
Stem keywords: Mongolian spot, new-born baby, incorrect statement
Lead-in keywords: incorrect
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the INCORRECT statement, meaning three options are true and one is false.

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