Basic Dermatology Flashcards
What are the 3 duties of the PT?
- Document presentation of skin disorder
- Make an assessment
- Refer to another provider, if warranted
What are the 5 primary functions of the skin?
- Protection
- Sensation
- Metabolism
- Thermoregulation
- Communication
Why are 2 reasons why skin changes with age?
- time
- cumulative effects of sun exposure
What are 11 skin changes that occur with increased age?
- Decreased dermal ground substance, elastin, collagen
- Decreased epidermal turnover and vitamin D production
- Flattened rete pegs/dermal papillae
- Decreased dermal and subcutaneous thickness
- Decreased vascularity and immune response
- Decreased sweat glands and skin elasticity
- Decreased barrier function
- Decreased sensory perception and immune function
- Decreased moisture content
- Thickened nails
- Decreased thermoregulation
What are the 2 most common skin problems with patients in nursing homes?
- Xerosis: dry skin
- Pruritus: severe itching of the skin
What are rashes?
Temporary eruptions of the skin such as those associated with heat, childhood diseases, diapers, and drug-induced reactions
What is a lesion?
A pathological or traumatic loss of normal tissue continuity, structure, or function
Lesions that are first to appear are called _____ lesions, and their identification is the most important aspect of the dermatological physical examination
primary
List a few examples of primary lesions
- Macules
- Patches
- Papules
- Plaques
- Nodules
- Tumors
- Wheals
- Vesicles
- Bullae
- Pustules
Primary lesions may continue to develop or they may become modified by trauma, regression, or other extraneous factors producing _____ lesions
secondary
Primary lesions are nonpalpable, flat, changes in skin color, they can be classified as either a _____ if they are small and less than 1 cm. Or a _____ if they are larger than 1 cm.
Macule
Patch
If a primary lesion is palpable, elevated, and a solid mass if is classified as one of the following:
Less than or equal to 0.5 cm: _____
Larger than 0.5 cm and can be a coalescence of smaller ones: _____
Anywhere from 0.5-2.0 cm and deeper and firmer than a papule:_______
A nodule greater than 2.0 cm: _______
Localized skin edema, irregular, transient, superficial, and variable in size:_______
papule
plaque
nodule
tumor
wheal
If a primary lesion is characterized by a superficial elevation formed by fluid within a cavity of between tissue layers it is classified as one of the following:
Less than or equal to 0.5 cm and is serous-filled:______
Greater than 0.5 cm: _______
Any size and filled with purulent material: _______
vesicle
bulla
pustule
Describe the general presentation of secondary lesions
They are depressed and manifest below the plane of the skin
List a few examples of secondary lesions
- Scales
- Crusts
- Excoriations/Abrasions
- Fissures
- Erosions
- Ulcers
- Scars
Describe the characteristics of scales
- dry or greasy laminated masses of keratin
- pathologic exfoliation involving the epidermis
- vary in size and color
Describe the characteristics of crusts
- dried blood, serum, or pus mixed with epithelial and bacterial debris
- vary in size, shape, thickness, color, and composition
- commonly referred to as scabs
Describe the characteristics of excoriations/abrasions
Linear or punctate abrasion produced by mechanical trauma often associated with pruritus and scratching
Describe the characteristics of fissures
- Linear crack or cleft through the epidermis and often into the dermis
- vary in shape, size, and moisture content
- commonly occur in thickened and inelastic skin due to dryness and inflammation
Describe the characteristics of erosions
- loss of portions or all of the epidermis only
- heal without scar tissue
- sometimes areas of erosion are referred to as denuded
Describe the characteristics of ulcers
- vary in size, shape, and etiology
- excavation involving complete loss of the epidermis and a portion of the dermis
- usually heal with scar formation
Describe the characteristics of scars
- collagen and connective tissue that replace lost dermis
- size and shape are dependent upon etiology and level of tissue destruction
- hypertrophic and keloid scars are pathological
What mnemonic can be used to assist the clinician in performing a thorough integumentary examination?
DERMATOLOGICAL
Describe the “D” in the mnemonic
DESCRIBE integrity
- Is the skin intact or present with injury