Rosh Pediatrics Practice Exam

Which characteristic best describes the rash associated with rubeola (measles)?

1. Erythematous maculopapular rash that starts on the face and spreads cephalocaudally, lasting about a week

2. Erythematous maculopapular rash that starts on the face and resolves within 3 days

3. Erythematous maculopapular rash that starts on the neck and trunk and spreads to the face and extremities

4. Lesions in various stages on the face, trunk, and extremities

The correct answer is: Erythematous maculopapular rash that starts on the face and spreads cephalocaudally, lasting about a week

The rash associated with rubeola, or measles, is accurately described as an erythematous maculopapular rash that begins on the face and spreads in a cephalocaudal manner, lasting approximately one week. This characteristic progression is a classic presentation of measles, typically starting just behind the ears or on the forehead and then moving downwards to involve the neck, trunk, and extremities. The duration of the rash is also significant; it usually lasts about seven days, which distinguishes it from rashes associated with other viral infections. The presence of the rash is generally preceded by other symptoms such as fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, and is accompanied by the characteristic Koplik spots in the oral cavity. The other options do not fit this established pattern. For instance, a rash that resolves within three days does not align with the expected timeline for measles. A rash beginning on the neck and trunk rather than the face would suggest a different etiology, and a presentation that features lesions in various stages is more characteristic of other conditions like chickenpox rather than a uniform rash seen in measles.