Free Practice Questions for Esame di Stato Podologo

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Key Facts: Esame di Stato Podologo Exam

Practical + Thesis

Exam format: practical clinical competence test plus thesis defense

Decreto Interministeriale 19 febbraio 2009, Art. 7

Laurea L/SNT2

Degree class for Health Professions of Rehabilitation (Podologia)

MUR D.I. 19 febbraio 2009

Ordine TSRM-PSTRP

Statutory professional order and register (Albo dei Podologi)

Legge 11 gennaio 2018, n. 3

D.M. 666/1994

Ministerial decree establishing the Italian Podologist professional profile

Ministero della Sanità D.M. 14 settembre 1994, n. 666

Varies by Uni

Exam fee, logistics, and numerical passing criteria

University academic regulations

MDR 2017/745

EU regulation governing custom-made medical devices (plantari & silicones)

Regulation (EU) 2017/745 Annex XIII

The qualifying final examination for the Laurea in Podologia (L/SNT2) has Esame di Stato value under Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009. It combines a profession-specific practical assessment with preparation and discussion of a thesis; local logistics are university-specific. This OpenExamPrep bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation and does not simulate either mandatory component.

Sample Esame di Stato Podologo Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Esame di Stato Podologo exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 90+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 24-year-old runner presents with pain and erythema along the lateral nail sulcus of the right hallux without purulent discharge or granulation tissue. According to the Mozena classification system for onychocryptosis, how should this clinical presentation be categorized?

A.Stage 1 (mild erythema, slight edema, and pain on direct lateral pressure without discharge)

B.Stage 2a (drainage, infection, and granulation tissue measuring less than 3 mm)

C.Stage 2b (abundant granulation tissue measuring 3 mm or greater with acute suppuration)

D.Stage 3 (chronic inflammatory deformity with exuberant granulation tissue completely covering the lateral nail plate)

Explanation: Mozena Stage 1 onychocryptosis is characterized by localized pain on lateral nail fold pressure, mild erythema, and modest edema without drainage, infection, or hypergranulation tissue. Conservative podiatric management is strictly indicated at this initial stage. Stages 2 and 3 involve discharge, infection, and progressive hypergranulation tissue formation.

2A 32-year-old patient presents with painful Stage 1 onychocryptosis of the medial border of the left great toe caused by improper transverse cutting of the nail corner. What is the most appropriate initial conservative podiatric intervention?

A.Immediate total avulsion of the nail plate under ring block local anesthesia

B.Precision excision of the offending nail spicule followed by sulcus cleaning and sterile non-woven cotton/copoline packing

C.Radical surgical matricectomy of the medial germinal matrix horn using the Winograd procedure

D.Prescription of high-dose systemic cephalosporins without any local instrument intervention

Explanation: Conservative podiatric treatment of Stage 1 onychocryptosis focuses on careful extraction of the impinging distal-lateral nail spicule (onychocectomy/spiculectomy) followed by antiseptic irrigation and gentle sulcus packing (copoline/gauze) or gutter splinting. Total nail avulsion is disproportionate, carries a high recurrence rate, and is outside conservative podiatric indications. Systemic antibiotics are unnecessary in the absence of spreading cellulitis or systemic signs.

3During the clinical examination of a circumscribed hyperkeratotic plantar lesion on the 2nd metatarsal head, which physical diagnostic finding most reliably differentiates a plantar verruca (HPV infection) from a heloma durum (mechanical corn)?

A.Pain elicited predominantly by direct perpendicular pressure and complete preservation of dermatoglyphic lines

B.Interruption of dermatoglyphic skin lines, pinpoint petechial bleeding upon superficial debridement, and greater pain on lateral squeeze than direct pressure

C.Presence of a central translucent keratinous nucleus (radix) that accentuates skin ridge patterns without vascular stippling

D.Spontaneous purulent ulceration with negative Wood's lamp fluorescence

Explanation: Plantar verrucae (human papillomavirus) characteristically disrupt normal dermatoglyphic skin lines, exhibit pinpoint bleeding from thrombosed dermal papillary capillaries upon tangential paring, and elicit sharper pain upon lateral transverse compression (pinching) than direct vertical pressure. Conversely, a heloma durum preserves the dermatoglyphic lines which pass around or over it, possesses a dense central keratinous core without capillary loops, and hurts primarily upon direct vertical compression.

4When performing therapeutic sharp scalpel debridement of a diffuse, non-complicated plantar tyloma (callus) across the central metatarsal heads, what technical principle ensures maximum patient safety and tissue integrity?

A.Orienting the scalpel blade (e.g., No. 10 or 20) almost perpendicular at a 90-degree angle to scrape down to the papillary dermis

B.Maintaining the scalpel blade flat at a shallow acute angle (10–20 degrees) parallel to the skin surface, shaving thin tangential planes of stratum corneum supported by finger tension

C.Applying firm downward vertical plunge cuts into the center of the callus to excise the entire epidermis in one block

D.Using a high-speed coarse carbide burr without water cooling directly on full-thickness un-pared stratum corneum

Explanation: Safe podiatric scalpel debridement of diffuse hyperkeratosis requires maintaining the blade nearly parallel to the epidermal plane (at an acute 10–20 degree angle), using controlled tangential gliding strokes while the non-dominant hand stabilizes and tensions the skin. This controlled lamination avoids piercing the viable basement membrane or lacerating the vascularized papillary dermis. Perpendicular scraping or plunge cutting causes skin tearing, bleeding, and ulceration.

5A 45-year-old female presents with an intensely macerated, painful, whitish lesion in the fourth interdigital web space of the left foot. Physical palpation reveals a deeply seated fibrous core between the opposing bony surfaces of the adjacent toes. What is the specific diagnosis and its biomechanical etiology?

A.Heloma molle (soft corn) resulting from frictional microtrauma and hyperhidrotic maceration between the lateral condyle of the 4th proximal phalanx and medial base/condyle of the 5th proximal phalanx

B.Tinea pedis bullosa triggered by systemic candidiasis in a non-weightbearing sulcus

C.Interdigital verruca vulgaris caused by HPV-1 transmitted through swimming pool showers

D.Morton's neuroma protruding through the interdigital skin crease due to narrow footwear

Explanation: A heloma molle (soft corn) develops typically in the 4th interdigital space where the base or head of the 4th proximal phalanx impinges against the opposing head or base of the 5th proximal phalanx in tight footwear. The hyperhidrotic, occluded interdigital microclimate softens the keratin into a macerated, white, sponge-like ring surrounding a central painful nucleus. Conservative management involves gentle enucleation, drying astringents, and silicone orthoplastic spacers.

6A 58-year-old male presents with opaque, friable, chalky-white patches situated exclusively on the superficial dorsal surface of the nail plate of the great toe, which can be readily scraped away with a curette without subungual hyperkeratosis. What is the clinical subtype of onychomycosis?

A.Distal lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO)

B.Superficial white onychomycosis (SWO)

C.Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO)

D.Endonyx onychomycosis

Explanation: Superficial white onychomycosis (SWO), most commonly caused by Trichophyton interdigitale (or non-dermatophytes like Acremonium and Fusarium), directly invades the dorsal layers of the nail plate. It forms powdery, opaque white islands that can be scraped off the dorsal surface without affecting the nail bed or causing subungual hyperkeratosis. In contrast, DLSO originates hyponychially and migrates proximally beneath the nail plate.

7An otherwise healthy 30-year-old male presents with a well-demarcated, creamy-white transverse band originating beneath the proximal nail fold and lunula of several toenails, with no preceding distal trauma or paronychia. Why must the podologist recognize proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO) as a crucial clinical warning sign?

A.It is an unequivocal sign of underlying zinc and biotin deficiency that can be treated with multivitamins alone

B.It represents a classic clinical cutaneous marker of cell-mediated immunodeficiency, particularly advanced HIV/AIDS infection, warranting medical referral for serological screening

C.It indicates an immediate bacterial bone infection (osteomyelitis) of the distal tuft

D.It is an entirely benign congenital anomaly known as leukonychia totalis with no clinical significance

Explanation: Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO) is rare in immunocompetent individuals because the fungus must breach the proximal nail fold and matrix. It is widely recognized in clinical dermatology as an important opportunistic marker of underlying severe cell-mediated immunosuppression, especially HIV infection (CD4 count <450/mm³). When a podologist identifies unexplained PSO, prompt medical referral for systemic and serological evaluation is mandatory.

8A 62-year-old patient presents with a solitary, longitudinal dark pigmented band on the right hallux nail plate that has progressively widened over the past six months. Clinical inspection reveals pigmentation extending into the adjacent proximal and lateral nail folds (cuticle). What is this clinical sign, and what urgent action must the podologist take?

A.Auspitz sign indicating nail psoriasis; proceed with therapeutic mechanical rotary burr debridement

B.Hutchinson's sign indicating probable acral lentiginous subungual melanoma; immediate referral to a dermatologist/oncologist for biopsy

C.Darier's sign indicating mastocytosis; apply a custom protective silicone toe sleeve

D.Nikolsky's sign indicating pemphigus vulgaris; prescribe topical miconazole cream

Explanation: Hutchinson's sign is the presence of brown-black hyperpigmentation on the periungual skin (proximal nail fold, epionychium, or hyponychium) associated with a longitudinal melanonychia band. It is a critical dermatological red-flag strongly suggestive of acral lentiginous subungual melanoma. The podologist must avoid any local abrasive or surgical manipulation and immediately refer the patient for urgent dermatological biopsy.

9An 82-year-old bedridden resident in a long-term care facility exhibits severe hypertrophic nail deformity of both great toes, with the plates severely thickened, dark yellowish-brown, and curved like a ram's horn. What is the pathological condition and the correct podiatric management?

A.Onychogryphosis; reduction using nail nippers followed by high-torque low-speed rotary burring with dust extraction/water irrigation

B.Koilonychia; treatment with daily iron infusions and warm paraffin soaks

C.Onychophosis; immediate full-thickness scalpel excision of the nail bed down to the periosteum

D.Pterygium unguis; application of topical 5-fluorouracil under occlusive tape

Explanation: Onychogryphosis ('ram's horn nail') is an extreme, acquired hypertrophic dystrophic nail deformity resulting from uneven matrix cell growth, trauma, or prolonged neglect in elderly patients. Podiatric conservative management consists of gross reduction with heavy-duty nail nippers (tronchese a becco d'aquila) followed by smoothing with high-torque rotary burrs fitted with HEPA dust evacuation or spray cooling to avoid thermal trauma. Total avulsion is rarely indicated and prone to recurrence.

10When mechanical milling/thinning (fresatura) of a pachyonychic nail plate is performed using a podiatric micromotor and carbide or diamond burr, which protocol is essential to prevent iatrogenic thermal burn injury to the underlying nail bed?

A.Maintaining the rotary burr stationary on the center of the plate under heavy downward pressure at maximum speed

B.Employing intermittent feather-light contact strokes with continuous lateral movement, utilizing integrated water spray cooling or suction

C.Soaking the foot in boiling water for 15 minutes immediately prior to milling with an uncooled abrasive disc

D.Applying topical pure ethyl alcohol continuously to the spinning burr during operation

Explanation: Mechanical rotary thinning of thickened (pachyonychic) nails transfers significant friction energy to the underlying richly vascularized and innervated nail bed. To prevent thermal necrosis, acute subungual blisters, and severe patient pain, the podologist must use intermittent, light sweeping strokes with constant motion, appropriate rotational speeds (typically 10,000–15,000 RPM depending on burr diameter), and integrated water spray cooling or effective vacuum aspiration.

About the Esame di Stato Podologo Exam

The Esame di Stato abilitante all'esercizio della professione di Podologo is the official statutory licensing qualification in Italy required for registration with the Albo dei Podologi within the Ordine TSRM-PSTRP (Federazione Nazionale Ordini dei Tecnici Sanitari di Radiologia Medica e delle Professioni Sanitarie Tecniche, della Riabilitazione e della Prevenzione, established under Legge 3/2018). Established by Decreto Ministeriale 14 settembre 1994, n. 666 and anchored in the university system by Decreto Interministeriale 19 febbraio 2009, the podologist is an autonomous healthcare practitioner who assesses and treats painful and functional disorders of the foot and ankle in pediatric, adult, geriatric, athletic, and high-risk diabetic populations. Podologists carry out sharp debridement of painful hyperkeratoses and helomas, conservative and palliative treatments for onychocryptosis, onychomycosis, and onychogryphosis, comprehensive biomechanical evaluations and baropodometric gait assessments, and fabrication of custom-molded digital silicone orthoses and biomechanical foot insoles (plantari su misura) under European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745). Independent Podologo State Exam practice by OpenExamPrep provides an English-language MCQ study adaptation that equips students with systematic diagnostic mastery and clinical problem-solving.

Exam sponsor: Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca (MUR) / individual Italian universities offering Laurea L/SNT2 in Podologia. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 gives the final examination for the Laurea in Podologia (L/SNT2) the legal value of an Esame di Stato. The national rule requires two components: a practical examination demonstrating profession-specific theoretical, practical, and technical-operational competence, and preparation and discussion of a thesis. It does not prescribe one national item count, duration, numerical cut score, fee, detailed local task type, or delivery language; candidates must use their university's current notice for those logistics. Independent Podologo practice by OpenExamPrep is an English-language four-option MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation, a format simulation, or a substitute for practical or oral performance practice.

Time Limit

Varies by university; no single national duration is published

Passing Score

Set by the university; no single national numerical cut score is published

Exam / Certification Fees

Varies by university; no single national fee is published

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

29 local questions (not an official percentage)

Foot Dermatological & Nail Pathologies

Clinical onychology (onychocryptosis staging and conservative management, onychomycosis diagnosis and mechanical debridement, onychogryphosis, pachyonychia, subungual hematoma, onycholysis), cutaneous hyperkeratosis (tyloma, heloma durum, heloma molle, heloma neurovasculare), viral verrucae differentiation and chemical/mechanical management, and cutaneous red-flag referrals.

25 local questions (not an official percentage)

Biomechanics, Postural & Baropodometric Evaluation, Gait Analysis

Functional anatomy of the foot and ankle, subtalar joint neutral position, Root and modern biomechanical concepts, tissue stress approach, static and dynamic baropodometry (center of pressure CoP trajectory, peak pressure mapping, time-integral forces), gait cycle phases (heel strike, midstance, propulsion), foot strike patterns, and kinematic chain compensations.

18 local questions (not an official percentage)

Diabetic Foot Screening, Ulcer Prevention, Offloading & Neuropathic Care

IWGDF clinical guidelines, diabetic neuropathy assessment (10g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, 128 Hz tuning fork vibration, neurothesiometer), peripheral arterial disease screening (dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses, ABI/ABPI, toe-brachial index), Texas and Wagner ulcer classification, conservative sharp debridement, advanced wound dressings, and therapeutic offloading (TCC, removable boot walkers, felted foam padding).

11 local questions (not an official percentage)

Podiatric Orthoses: Custom Digital Silicones & Plantari/Insoles

Design, materials, and fabrication of custom podiatric orthoses; digital silicone orthoplasties (protective, corrective, replacement; elastomer shore A hardness selection); functional versus accommodative custom foot insoles (plantari su misura); negative impression casting (foam box, plaster slippers, 3D laser scanning); material selection (EVA, PPT, Poron, carbon composite, polypropylene); and posting modifications (extrinsic/intrinsic rearfoot and forefoot wedges).

7 local questions (not an official percentage)

Deontology, Sterilization, Infection Control & Ordine TSRM-PSTRP Regulations

Italian legal profile of the Podologo (D.M. 666/1994), professional autonomy and boundaries with medical doctors, registration in the Albo dei Podologi under the Ordine TSRM-PSTRP (Legge 3/2018), medical device regulation (EU MDR 2017/745 for custom-made devices), informed consent and privacy regulations (GDPR, Legge 219/2017), decontamination and Class B steam autoclave sterilization protocols, spore testing, and clinical waste disposal.

Preparing for the Esame di Stato Podologo Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Set by the university; no single national numerical cut score is published
Assessment: Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 gives the final examination for the Laurea in Podologia (L/SNT2) the legal value of an Esame di Stato. The national rule requires two components: a practical examination demonstrating profession-specific theoretical, practical, and technical-operational competence, and preparation and discussion of a thesis. It does not prescribe one national item count, duration, numerical cut score, fee, detailed local task type, or delivery language; candidates must use their university's current notice for those logistics. Independent Podologo practice by OpenExamPrep is an English-language four-option MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation, a format simulation, or a substitute for practical or oral performance practice.
Time limit: Varies by university; no single national duration is published
Exam / certification fees: Varies by university; no single national fee is published Official sources

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Esame di Stato Podologo: Suggested Study Strategy

1Review the clinical staging of onychocryptosis (Mozena / Martinez Nova classification) and master conservative techniques including precision spicule removal, gutter splinting, and packing.

2Understand differential diagnosis of plantar hyperkeratosis versus verruca pedis, including capillary punctate bleeding (thrombosed capillaries) on debridement and dermatoglyphic disruption.

3Master the clinical screening protocols for the diabetic foot: 10g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing sites, 128 Hz Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork vibration threshold, and ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) interpretation.

4Learn biomechanical evaluation principles: subtalar joint neutral position, forefoot varus/valgus compensations, modern tissue stress theory, and dynamic baropodometry pressure-time integrals.

5Know materials science for podiatric orthoses: Shore A hardness for digital silicone elastomers, properties of EVA versus Poron/PPT for plantari, and custom device technical documentation under EU MDR 2017/745.

6Familiarize yourself with infection control protocols: ultrasonic enzymatic washing, packaging in chemical-indicator pouches, Class B vacuum autoclave cycle parameters (134°C, 2.1 bar, 4–5 min holding time), and biological spore monitoring (Geobacillus stearothermophilus).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal framework governing the Italian Podologist State Exam (Esame di Stato Podologo)?

The examination is governed under Article 7 of the Decreto Interministeriale 19 febbraio 2009 (Determinazione delle classi delle lauree delle professioni sanitarie), which establishes that the final degree examination (prova finale) for Laurea L/SNT2 in Podologia has the direct statutory value of a State Licensing Examination (Esame di Stato abilitante). Professional competencies are rooted in the professional profile defined by Decreto Ministeriale 14 settembre 1994, n. 666.

How is the qualifying examination structured and evaluated under D.I. 19 febbraio 2009?

Article 7 of D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 requires two components: a practical examination demonstrating profession-specific theoretical, practical, and technical-operational competence, and preparation and discussion of a thesis. Detailed tasks, order, scoring, duration, and delivery arrangements are set by the university rather than standardized nationally.

What are the official fees and passing scores for the Podologo State Exam?

Fees, dates, duration, grading details, and any repeat procedure are set by the individual university. D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 does not publish a single national fee, timetable, duration, or numerical cut score for this final qualifying examination.

Which professional order registers practicing podologists in Italy?

Upon successfully passing the qualifying degree exam, podologists are legally required to enroll in the Albo dei Podologi, managed under the provincial Ordine dei Tecnici Sanitari di Radiologia Medica e delle Professioni Sanitarie Tecniche, della Riabilitazione e della Prevenzione (FNO TSRM-PSTRP), as mandated by Legge 11 gennaio 2018, n. 3 (Legge Lorenzin).

Why does OpenExamPrep offer an English multiple-choice question bank for an Italian practical exam?

D.I. 19 febbraio 2009 does not publish one national delivery language for this university-run final examination. This OpenExamPrep resource uses English four-option MCQs as an independent study adaptation. It is not an official translation, does not simulate the practical examination or thesis defense, and is not a substitute for performance practice or the candidate's university notice.