Chapter 5 Dermatology

Question 1

abrasion

Answer 1

skin injury that scrapes away from surface of skin

Question 2

abcess

Answer 2

infection by bacteria resulting in localized collection of pus

Question 3

alopecia

Answer 3

absence or loss of hair, especially of head; commonly called baldness

Question 4

basal cell carcinoma

Answer 4

skin cancer in basal cell layer of the epidermis; very common cancer caused by sun exposure but rarely metastasizes or spreads

Question 5

biopsy

Answer 5

Surgical procedure to remove a piece of tissue by needle, knife, punch or brush to examine under a microscope in order to make a diagnosis

Question 6

burn, 1st degree

Answer 6

mild burn that damage epidermis only; results in erythema but no blisters

Question 7

burn, 2nd degree

Answer 7

burn damage that extends through the epidermis and into the dermis, causing blisters to form

Question 8

burn, 3rd degree

Answer 8

burn damage to the full thickness of skin and into underlying tissues

Question 9

cauterization

Answer 9

intentional destruction of tissue by a caustic chemical, electric current, laser or freezing

Question 10

cellulitis

Answer 10

inflammation of connective tissue cells of skin

Question 11

contusion

Answer 11

blunt trauma to skin that results in bruising

Question 12

culture and sensitivity

Answer 12

laboratory test that grows a colony of bacteria removal from infected area in order to identify the specific type of bacteria and then determine its sensitivity to a variety of antibiotics

Question 13

cyst

Answer 13

fluid-filled sac under the skin

Question 14

debridement

Answer 14

removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from a wound

Question 15

decubitus ulcer

Answer 15

open sore caused by pressure over bony prominences obstructing blood flow

Question 16

ecchymosis

Answer 16

“black and blue” skin bruise caused by blood collecting under skin after trauma

Question 17

erythema

Answer 17

redness of skin

Question 18

fissure

Answer 18

crack like break in skin

Question 19

gangrene

Answer 19

tissue necrosis caused by loss of blood supply

Question 20

laceration

Answer 20

jagged-edged skin wound caused by tearing of the skin (not a cut!!)

Question 21

lesion

Answer 21

general term that indicates the presence of some type of tissue abnormality

Question 22

malignant melanoma

Answer 22

aggressive form of skin cancer that originates in a melanocyte; prone to metastasize

Question 23

necrosis

Answer 23

area of tissue death

Question 24

pruritus

Answer 24

severe itching

Question 25

psoriasis

Answer 25

chronic inflammatory condition consisting of crusty papules forming patches with circular borders

Question 26

purpura

Answer 26

purplish-red bruise usually occurring in people with thin, easily damaged skin

Question 27

skin graft

Answer 27

transfer the skin form a normal area to cover another site

Question 28

squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 28

skin cancer that begins in the epidermis but may grow into deeper tissue but does not generally metastasize

Question 29

ulcer

Answer 29

open sore or lesion in the skin or mucous membrane

Question 30

urticaria

Answer 30

skin eruption of pale reddish wheals with severe itching; usually associated with food allergy, stress or drug reactions.

Question 31

wheal

Answer 31

small, round, raised area on the skin that may be accompanied by itching, usually seen in allergic reactions.