CLASS 6 - SKIN ASSESSMENT Flashcards
How does the stratum corneum (outer layer of the epidermis) change with age?
thins + flattens - allows chemicals easier access into the body
how does the dermis change w age?
thins + flattens, results in wrinkles
how does skin change w age in terms of elastin, collagen, subcut fat and muscle tone? What risks does this introduce for the older adult?
- elastin, collagen, subcut fat + muscle tone is lost
- loss of collagen increases the risk for shearing + tearing injuries
How does the skin change w age in terms of sweat + sebaceous glands? What risks does this pose for the older adult?
- Sweat + sebaceous glands decrease in # and function which results in dry skin
- decreased response of the sweat glands to thermoregulatory demand puts older adults at greater risk for heat stroke.
how the skin change w age in terms of vascularity and fragility? What risks does this pose for the older adult?
Vascularity diminishes + fragility increases. As a result, minor trauma may produce senile purpura (red discoloured areas).
What questions would you ask a patient when collecting subjective data about a patient’s skin?
- previous history of skin disease (allergies, hives, psoriasis, eczema)
- changes in pigmentation
- excessive dryness (xerosis) or moisture (seborrhea)
- pruritis (itching)
- excessive bruising
- rash or lesion
- medications
- hair loss, change in nails
- environmental or occupational hazards
- self-care behaviours
What would you ask a patient about a previous history of skin disease?
Any previous skin disease or problem? How was this treated? Any family history of allergies? Any known allergies? Any birthmarks or tattoos (bc risk for hep C)
What would you ask a patient about changes in pigmentation in their skin?
any change in skin colour or pigmentation?
is the colour change generalized or localized?
What would you ask a patient about changes in moles?
Have you experienced a sudden appearance of tenderness, bleeding, or itching?
Any sores that don’t heal?
What would you ask a patient about excessive bruising?
Any excessive bruising? Where on the body?
How did this happen? How long have you had it?
What would you ask a patient about rashes or lesions?
Onset - when did tou first notice it?
Location - where did it start?
Extent - have you noticed it spreading?
Describe the colour
Is it raised or flat> Any crust or odour? Does it feel tender or warm?
How long have you had it? Does anyone at work or at home have a similar rash? Have you been camping, acquired a new pet, tried a new food, or taken a new medication> Does the rash seem to come w stress?
What home care have you tried (baths, lotions, heat, cold)? Do they help or make it worse?
Associated symptoms - any itching or fever?
What do you think a rash or lesion means?
How has the rash or lesion affected your self care, hygiene, and ability to function at home + at work?
Any new increased stress in your life (stress can exacerbate chronic skin disease?
What questions would you ask a patient about medications?
What medications do you take? Prescription or over the counter? Have you noticed any changes in your skin since you started taking the medication?
What would you ask a patient about environmental or occupational hazards?
how much sun exposure do you get?
have you recently been bitten by an insect like a bee, tick, or mosquito?
any recent exposure to plants or animals in yard work or camping?
What questions would you ask a patient about their self-care behaviours?
What do you do to care for your skin, hair, and nails? What cosmetics, soaps, or chemicals do you use? Do you clip cuticles on nails or use adhesive for false fingernails? Do you use sunscreen? what SPF? Do you perform a skin self-examination?
What questions would you ask a patient about hair loss + changes in nails?
Any recent hair loss? Gradual or sudden onset? Symmetrical? Any unusual hair growth? Any recent change in texture or appearance>
What is alopecia?
What is hirsutism?
alopecia = significant hair loss hirsutism = shaggy or excessive hair
What are 5 potential causes of pallor?
Anemia Shock Local arterial insuffiency Albinism Vitiligo
How do anemia + shock present in light skin? Brown skin? Black skin?
Light skin: Generalized pallor
Brown Skin: appears yellow-brown, dull
Black Skin: appears ashen grey, dull
How does local arterial insufficiency present in light skin? dark skin?
light skin: marked localized pallor such as extremities
Dark skin: Ashen grey, dull, cool to palpation
What is albinism?
total absence of pigment melanin thoughout the integument
What is vitiligo?
Patchy depigmentation from destruction of melanocytes
How does albinism present in light skin + dark skin?
whitish pink
How does vitiligo present in light + dark skin?
Patchy milky white spots, often symmetrical bilaterally
What is cyanosis? What causes it?
Blueish hue to the skin - caused by increased amount of unoxygenated Hgb, signifies decreased perfusion
How does cyanosis present in light skin? Dark skin?
Light skin: blue
dark skin: dark, but dull + lifeless. only sever cyanosis is apparent in dark skin
what causes central cyanosis? How does it present in light skin + dark skin?
Central cyanosis results from chronic heart and lung diseases that cause arterial desaturation
light skin: grey coloration
dark skin: hard to detect
what causes peripheral cyanosis? How does it present in light + dark skin?
Caused by exposure to cold, anxiety
Light skin: dusky nail beds
Dark skin: hard to detect
What is erythema?
How does it present in light + dark skin?
Intense redness of the skin from excess blood (hyperemia) ‘
Light skin: red / bright pink
Dark skin: purple tinge, difficult to see
what is hyperemia?
increased blood flow through engorged arterioles such as inflammation, fever, alcohol intake, blushing
what is polycythemia? How does it present in light + dark skin?
increased numbers of RBCs
light skin: ruddy blue in face, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, hands + feet
dark skin: hard to detect, check for redness in lips
What are 4 potential causes of erythema?
Hyperemia
Polycythemia
Carbon monoxide poisoning
venous stasis
How does carbon monoxide poisoning present in light skin? dark skin?
light skin: bright cherry red in face + upper torso
dark skin: cherry-red colour in nail beds, lips, and oral mucosa
what is venous stasis?
decreased blood flow from an area
how does venous stasis present in light skin? dark skin?
light skin: rubor of dependent extremeties,
dark skin: easily masked, palpate for warmth or edema
what is jaundice?
jaundice is caused by increased serum bilirubin ( > 2 mg / 100 mL) as a result of liver inflammation or hemolytic disease.
how does jaundice present in light skin? dark skin?
light skin: yellow in sclera, hard palate, mucous membranes, and over skin
dark skin: check sclera for yellow tinge near limbus of eye. jaundice is best noticed in junction of hard and soft palate + also palms
what is carotenemia?
increased serum carotene from ingestion of large amts of carotene-rich foods
how does carotenemia present in light skin? dark skin?
light skin: yellow-orange in forehead, palms + soles, and nasolabial folds (smile lines)
dark skin: yellow-orange in palms + soles
what is uremia?
occurs in renal failure - urochrome pigments are retained in the blood
how does uremia present in light skin? dark skin?
light skin: orange-green or grey overlying pallor of anemia, ecchymoses and purpura
dark: easily masked, rely on lab findings
what is purpura?
purple coloured spots from burst blood vessels
what is Brown-Tan?
eternal tan