Exam by body system

How to check a mole with the ABCDE rule

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPANursing (NCLEX)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

The ABCDE rule helps decide which moles need a closer look.

Step by step

  1. Good light

    Look at the whole skin, including scalp, soles and between toes. [1]

  2. A: asymmetry

    One half different from the other. [1]

  3. B: border

    Irregular, notched or blurred edges. [1]

  4. C: color

    Several colors or uneven color. [1]

  5. D: diameter

    Larger than about 6 mm. [1]

  6. E: evolving

    Changing in size, shape, color, bleeding or itching. [1]

  7. Ugly duckling

    A mole that looks different from the others. Refer any concerning mole. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. Stanford Medicine 25 (bedside exam)
  2. NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint
  3. Open RN, Nursing Skills 2e (Chippewa Valley Technical College) (CC BY 4.0)

Steps adapted from Open RN, Nursing Skills 2e (Chippewa Valley Technical College), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Facts and steps also follow NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; Stanford Medicine 25 (bedside exam). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.