Loosing or detachment of the nails from the nail bed is known as:

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

Onycholysis is the specific medical term for the separation of the nail plate from the underlying nail bed.
The term is derived from Greek roots: 'onycho' meaning nail, and 'lysis' meaning loosening or separation.
This condition is typically painless and begins at the distal (far) end of the nail, creating a space underneath.
According to medical literature, common causes include trauma, psoriasis, fungal infections, and certain systemic diseases like hyperthyroidism.

Option A: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection ('-mycosis') of the nail itself, not a separation from the bed. It leads to changes in the nail's texture and color, such as thickening, crumbling, and yellowing.
Option B: Koilonychia, or 'spoon nails,' describes a change in the nail's shape to become concave or spoon-like. It does not involve detachment from the nail bed.
Option C: Paronychia is an infection or inflammation of the skin fold around the nail ('para-' meaning around). It is characterized by redness, swelling, and pain at the nail fold, not detachment of the nail plate.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology of Nail Abnormalities as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nail assessment is a vital component of a comprehensive nursing physical examination, as nail changes can be the first sign of local infection, skin disease, or significant systemic illness.
When a nurse identifies onycholysis, it is important to assess for potential causes, such as recent trauma, exposure to chemicals or moisture, or symptoms of underlying conditions like psoriasis or thyroid disease.
Patient education should include keeping nails short and dry, avoiding trauma, and refraining from cleaning under the nail, which can worsen the separation.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of medical terminology related to nail disorders.
First, identify the key process described in the stem: 'Loosing or detachment of the nails from the nail bed'.
Analyze the options by breaking down the medical terms. 'Onycho-' is the prefix for nail.
Consider the suffixes: '-lysis' means separation or destruction, '-mycosis' means fungal infection, and 'para-' means around or beside.
Based on this, 'onycholysis' directly translates to 'nail separation', which matches the question's description.
Eliminate the other options based on their definitions: onychomycosis (fungal infection), koilonychia (spoon shape), and paronychia (inflammation around the nail).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1955-1957

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