A nurse is caring for a client who has suspected superficial spreading melanoma. When collecting data about the client's lesion, which of the following is an expected finding?

Rationale: A. Superficial spreading melanoma usually presents as a variegated lesion with shades of brown, tan, or black, often with irregular borders and asymmetry. A purplish hue is not typical of this type of melanoma; lesions with purple tones may indicate vascular lesions (like hemangiomas) or rare cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma. B. Early superficial spreading melanoma is typically painless. Pain is not a reliable indicator of early melanoma and usually only occurs if the lesion becomes ulcerated, infected, or grows deeply into the skin layers, which is more characteristic of advanced disease. C. Melanoma is a malignant lesion, not an infection, so it does not normally produce pus. Purulent drainage would suggest a bacterial infection, abscess, or skin ulcer rather than a cancerous lesion. D. Pruritus, or itching, is an expected finding in superficial spreading melanoma. Patients may notice mild irritation or tingling at the site of the lesion, often before any other changes are apparent. This symptom, combined with changes in size, color, shape, or the appearance of new moles, should alert the nurse to the possibility of melanoma and the need for further evaluation.