How to interview a patient with a rash
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
Most rashes are harmless, but rash with fever, blistering or mucosal sores can be an emergency.
Step by step
Introduce yourself and look
Get consent and look at the rash in good light. [1]
Onset and spread
When it started, where, and how it spread. [2]
Symptoms
Itching, pain, burning, blisters, bleeding. [2]
Red flags
Fever, feeling very unwell, rash that does not fade when pressed, blistering or peeling skin, sores in the mouth or eyes. [3]
Triggers
New medicines (last 8 weeks), foods, soaps, plants, insect bites, sun, sick contacts. [3]
History
Eczema, psoriasis, allergies, immune problems. [3]
Summarize and plan
Describe the rash and explain the next step. [1]
Common errors
- Missing a non-fading rash with fever.
- Not asking about new medicines.
- Not checking the mouth and eyes.
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
- AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
- NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations
- NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint
Facts and steps follow NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.