Your first patient of the day is complaining of pain in the area of his new tattoo. When you examine the tattoo, you note that the area around it is firm, red, and swollen. There is no evidence of pus, and your patient has a normal pulse, and no fever. You tell your patient that you have seen this type of response to a tattoo before, and that it is called a granulomatous reaction. You give him more information on the condition
-You tell your patient that tattoo ink can sometimes cause the skin reaction he is experiencing; red ink in particular can cause this because it commonly contains mercury and/or other heavy metals. Your patient has developed a granuloma at the site of his tattoo. When he asks you what a granuloma is, you tell him
A) a collection of macrophages, giant cells, and T cells.
B) a collection of neutrophils, giant cells, eosinophils and red blood cells.
C) a mass of macrophages, activated complement proteins, and keratin.
D) an acute inflammation response involving mast cells and dendritic cells.
E) a collection of microbes, keratin, and white blood cells.

Question

Your first patient of the day is complaining of pain in the area of his new tattoo. When you examine the tattoo, you note that the area around it is firm, red, and swollen. There is no evidence of pus, and your patient has a normal pulse, and no fever. You tell your patient that you have seen this type of response to a tattoo before, and that it is called a granulomatous reaction. You give him more information on the condition
-You tell your patient that tattoo ink can sometimes cause the skin reaction he is experiencing; red ink in particular can cause this because it commonly contains mercury and/or other heavy metals. Your patient has developed a granuloma at the site of his tattoo. When he asks you what a granuloma is, you tell him 
A) a collection of macrophages, giant cells, and T cells.
B) a collection of neutrophils, giant cells, eosinophils and red blood cells.
C) a mass of macrophages, activated complement proteins, and keratin.
D) an acute inflammation response involving mast cells and dendritic cells.
E) a collection of microbes, keratin, and white blood cells.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A granuloma is a collection of immune cells, including macrophages, giant cells, and T cells. These cells come together to wall off foreign substances, such as tattoo ink, that the body sees as a threat. This results in a firm, often raised area around the tattoo, which can be red and swollen.

Your First Patient of the Day Is Complaining of Pain