Assessment of the skin Flashcards
What are two categories of abnormality for the skin?
- specific conditions to the skin
- non-specific - signs and symptoms of systemic illness, injury, nutrition, hydration and circulation displayed on teh skin
What are some functions of the skin?
- Protection
- Thermoregulation
- Infection prevention (integrity and pH 5-5.5 and acidic)
- Vitamin D regulation
- Waterproofing
Briefly state some features of the skin
- Epidermis – dermis - subcutaneous tissue
- Collagen and connective tissue
- Muscle
- Sensory nerve ending
- Hair
- Blood vessels
- Protein rish croneocyets – keratin and filaggrin
- Lipid rich matrix – epidermis produced liquid to - replace lost desquamation
- Lipids derive from keratinocytes
- Ceramides, free fatty acids and cholesterol
What are some factors that cause skin changes?
- UV
- Biological aging
- Skin disease eg, atopic eczema, psoriasis, inherited ichthyosaurs asteatotic eczema
- Hormones eg. Menopause
- Illness eg. Malignancy
- Over washing
- Poor self-care and nursing care
- Therapeutic treatments eg. Nineties, radiotherapy, corticosteroids and light therapy
- Environment (heating, low humidity and sunlight)
- Poor nutrition and hydration
What does peters (2012) say is needed to prepare for a skin assessment?
- Touch
- Sensitivity or embarrassment
- Adequate lighting and privacy
- Magnifying glass
- Full examination
- Skin type (fitzpatrick scale types 1-6)
- Documentation (diagrams and photos)
- Referral and escalation pathways
What sections are involved in a physical examination of skin conditions?
- General overview – affected area compared to unaffected area
- Nails eg. Clubbed
- Mucous membranes
- Hair
- Lymph node (eg. Raised nodes)
- Other systems effected that need examining
How can you recognise an emergent situation in skin conditions?
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing or signs of oedema
- Also panting systemic illness and fever
- Sever sudden rash following viral symptoms
- Any tracking
State thee chronic skin conditions
- Oedema
- Ezecma
- Seriosis
During a skin assessment what should be documented and reported?
- Location – generalised, localised and record with a diagram or picture
- Number and distribution – single, multiple, symmetrical or asymmetrical
- Shape (outline) – well defined, poor defined, irregular border, linear.
What are the two types of lesions?
Primary – present at/ part of initial onset of disease
Secondary – result of manipulation (scratching, rubbing and picking), injury and changes over time caused by the disease
What is a macule?
Flat discolouration less than 1cm
What is a patch?
Flat discolouration more than 1cm
What is a papules?
Solid, raised, dis stick borders then than 1cm
What is a plaques?
Solid, raised, distinct borders, flat-topped epidermal change more than 1cm
What is a vesicle?
Raised lesion filled with clear fluid less than 1 cm
