ABPS Dermatology (BCD) study plan

Classify the major papulosquamous and eczematous eruptions by primary lesion morphology, distribution, and symptom pattern

Differentiate psoriasis variants from lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, and nummular dermatitis using clinical and histologic discriminators

Build a triage framework for cutaneous drug eruptions that separates morbilliform, urticarial, bullous, pustular, and severe systemic reactions (DRESS, SJS/TEN, AGEP)

Outline first-line and escalation systemic therapy for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis along with required baseline and monitoring labs

Explain the pathomechanism and therapeutic ladder for atopic dermatitis, including when to escalate to biologics or JAK inhibitors

Distinguish cutaneous lupus subtypes, dermatomyositis, and morphea by clinical course and interface/granulomatous histology

Interpret direct immunofluorescence patterns to separate pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, and linear IgA disease

Categorize cutaneous vasculitis by vessel size and list the systemic workup triggered by each size category

Compare Sweet syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, and Behcet disease by morphology, associated conditions, and treatment response

Correlate each connective tissue and blistering diagnosis with its classic histopathologic finding in one sentence

Assign diagnoses to the four major tissue-reaction patterns: spongiotic, psoriasiform, interface, and lichenoid

Construct a differential of at least eight entities for each reaction pattern using architectural and cytologic clues

Match special stains (PAS, Fite, Alcian blue, Congo red, elastic van Gieson, direct immunofluorescence) to their specific diagnostic indications

Apply architectural and cytologic criteria to separate benign from malignant melanocytic proliferations, including dysplastic nevus versus melanoma in situ

Recognize pseudolymphomatous and clonal lymphoid infiltrates and state the features that warrant lymphoma workup

Classify adnexal tumors by line of differentiation and identify the two or three with systemic associations

Map indicated surgical margins for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma by Breslow depth, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

State the indications for Mohs micrographic surgery versus wide local excision versus staged excision by tumor and anatomic site

Outline layered closure principles and suture material selection by anatomic region and wound tension

Explain frozen-section interpretation limits and the role of margin assessment in melanoma

Plan excisions by anatomic subunit with appropriate margin, orientation of lines of tension, and expected functional outcome

Calculate maximum safe doses of local anesthetics with and without epinephrine and describe the recognition and management of systemic toxicity

Compare second-intention healing, primary closure, skin grafting, and transposition or rotation flaps by indication, vascular supply, and complication profile

Outline prevention and stepwise management of dehiscence, flap necrosis, hematoma, and infection

Select laser and energy-based devices by target chromophore, indication, and Fitzpatrick skin type risk

Differentiate neonatal vesiculopustular and erythematous eruptions by timing of onset, morphology, and expected natural history

Distinguish inflicted injury from cultural practices, coagulopathy, and inherited conditions that mimic bruising

Outline pediatric atopic dermatitis and acne management with weight-based dosing and age-appropriate agent selection

Classify vascular anomalies into infantile hemangioma, capillary malformation, venous and lymphatic malformations, and state treatment thresholds

Identify genodermatoses with systemic surveillance needs, including neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis, and incontinentia pigmenti

Classify patients by Fitzpatrick phototype and photoaging scale and match peel depth and agent to indication and skin type

Outline facial danger zones for soft-tissue filler and neuromodulator injection, including the vascular occlusion recognition and hyaluronidase rescue protocol

Interpret laser-tissue interaction principles to select pigment-targeting versus vascular-targeting versus resurfacing devices

Weigh the evidence for topical therapies in melasma and photoaging, including retinoids, hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, and combination regimens

Describe informed consent elements, photographic documentation standards, and the escalation pathway for cosmetic complications

Re-audit every missed item from weeks 1 through 7 and rewrite each into a single teaching pearl with the underlying rule stated explicitly

Complete two timed 100-item mixed practice sets under exam conditions and analyze errors by domain and by reasoning type

Rehearse clinico-pathologic reasoning from verbal descriptions alone for the two weakest domains identified by error analysis

Consolidate a one-page final-review sheet limited to facts that were missed more than once during the plan