Which procedure removes some or all of the nail plate, usually for painful or ingrown nails?

• A. Excisional matrixectomy
• B. Ingrown nail
• C. Nail avulsion
• D. Nail matrixectomy

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is removing the nail plate to relieve pain from a painful or ingrown nail. Nail avulsion is the procedure that does exactly that—it's the removal of part or all of the nail plate while leaving the underlying nail matrix intact so the nail can regrow. This directly addresses the pressure and irritation caused by an ingrown edge or painful nail.

In contrast, an ingrown nail is the condition itself, not the procedure. A nail matrixectomy (sometimes done after avulsion) removes the nail-producing tissue so the nail won't regrow, which is used for recurring ingrown nails. Excisional matrixectomy also involves removing the nail matrix with some destructive steps to prevent regrowth. Those are about stopping future growth, not simply removing the nail plate to relieve current pain.