Chapter 27: The Integumentary System (Skin Health) Flashcards
Outer layer of the skin
Epidermis
Small, light-colored (gray or brown) benign lesions on epidermis. (Can be pre-cancerous)
Keratosis
Epidermal cells that give skin its color
Melanocytes
Irregular, dark areas (resembling bruises) that may be found on the buttocks, lower back, and to a lesser extent on the arms, abdomen, and thighs; more prevalent in persons of African, Asian, or Native American backgrounds
Mongolian spots
___ (solar elastosis): skin changes resulting from exposure to ultraviolet rays
Photoaging
Localized damage to skin and/or underlying soft tissue resulting from pressure or pressure combined with shear or friction
Pressure injury
Itching
Pruritus
Elasticity
Turgor
__, __, and __ are the most obvious constant reminders of the aging process.
Lines and wrinkles, thicker nails, and graying hair
ABCDE’s in detecting unhealthy moles:
A: asymmetry B: border irregularity C: color D: diameter E: Elevation in height
A—Asymmetry: If a mole is ____, it could be a sign of melanoma.
not round or symmetrical, or one half of the mole is not similar to the other half
B—Border Irregularity: Cancerous moles have irregular borders that may be __, __, __, or __.
uneven, ragged, notched, or blurred.
C—Color: The typical color of a mole is consistently __ throughout. A mole that has changed color over time or is varied in a shade of brown, tan, and black may be cancerous.
brown
D—Diameter: Cancerous moles can be more than __ in diameter (about ¼ in. or the size of a pencil eraser).
6 mm
If melanoma in a mole has progressed, the mole may become ___
red, blue, or white.
Other mole variations that may indicate melanoma include:
- elevation in height from the skin surface both horizontally or vertically
- a change in feeling, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain
- the tendency to bleed if scratched.
The most common dermatologic problem among older adults is __.
pruritus
pruritus can be precipitated by any circumstance that ___
dries the person’s skin, such as excessive bathing and dry heat
___, also referred to as actinic or solar ___. CAN BE PRE-CANCEROUS
Keratoses
Keratin may be accumulated in these lesions, causing the formation of a cutaneous horn with a slightly ___
reddened and swollen base.
Freezing agents and acids can be used to destroy the ___ ___, but electrodesiccation or surgical excision ensures a more thorough removal
keratotic lesions (keratoses)
__ __ are dark, wart-like projections on the skin. Body locations: trunk, face, neck. BENIGN LESIONS!!!!!!!!
Seborrheic keratoses
There are three major skin cancers that are common in late life:
basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.