International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a port wine stain?

1. Defined borders

2. Blanching with pressure

3. Persistence over time

4. Color intensity

The correct answer is: Blanching with pressure

A port wine stain is a type of vascular birthmark characterized by several distinct features. One of the key characteristics is that it has defined borders, which means that the edges of the stain are usually clear and well demarcated from the surrounding skin. This contrast helps in identifying the stain visually. Persistence over time is another hallmark of a port wine stain. Unlike some other types of birthmarks that may fade or disappear as a child grows, port wine stains are permanent and do not resolve naturally. This permanence is significant in clinical evaluations and parental counseling. Color intensity is also an important characteristic. Port wine stains typically present as a deep red or purple hue, which can vary in intensity. The depth of color can sometimes change with factors like temperature or emotional response, reflecting the vascular nature of the lesion. Blanching with pressure is not a feature of port wine stains. This characteristic typically refers to certain types of vascular lesions, like hemangiomas, which will lighten when pressure is applied because they are made up of more dilatable and compressible blood vessels. In contrast, port wine stains do not whiten or change color when pressure is applied, as they represent a more permanent alteration of the superficial blood vessels in the skin. This understanding is crucial for