Class 9: integumentary system Flashcards
the effects of aging on the integumentary system
- reduced thickness and vascularity of dermis
- degeneration of elastic fibres
- loss of pigment cells
- atrophy of hair bulbs
- lines and wrinkles
- thicker nails
- graying hair and decrease in hair growth
- increased fragility of the skin
assessment of the integumentary system
- colour
- lesions
- moisture/dryness
- edema
- turgor
- hair growth
- nail growth
- changes in moles
- itching, burning, pain
erythema
increased blood flow to superior capillaries
petechiae
tiny hemorrhage spots (less than 3 cm)
purpura
don’t blanch-bleed under skin. vitamin c deficiency
ecchymosis
bruising, unraised
hematoma
clot outside of blood vessel, not flat, on surface
macule
flat non palpable change in skin colour (freckle)
nodule
raised palpable, solid, hard or soft
vesicle
raised, fluid filled sac, thin translucent walls. can be popped, can see borders (blister)
wheal
elevated red areas. irregular elevated border, usually large. diffused fluid (insect bite)
pustule
vesicle filled with pus, circumscribed border (acne, boil)
urticaria
rash (hives)
pruritis
itchy skin
stasis dermatitis
skin disease of lower extremities
eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- cutaneous (skin) response to environmental allergens
- pruritic (itch)
- bright erythema (redness) , scaly plaques
- could have oozing vesicles
treatment for eczema
OTC hydrocortisone 0.5% can thin skin causing shear, use it intermittently.
- hydration from moisturizers.
- light therapy.
- reduce stress triggers
psoriasis
- auto immune chronic dermatitis
- excessively rapid turnover of epidermal cells
- lesions raised, red, round, plaques covered with thick, silvery scales
- itching, burning, pain
treatment for psoriasis
light therapy, sunlight can reduce turnover of skin cell
- no cure
- can lead to joint attacks
shingles (herpes zoster)
- activation of varicella-zoster virus
- linear distribution along dermatome
- grouped vesicles
- burning, pain, neuralgia preceding outbreak
- mild to severe pain during an outbreak
treatment for shingles
- anti virals
- moist cool compresses
- sedation
- vaccine for clients over 60
scabies
highly itchy.
- mite penetrates the outer layer of the skin and lays eggs
- transmission by direct contact (rarely by shared items)
- severe itching, presence of burrows, possible vesicles,
treatment of scabies
permethrin (topical cream) 95% success rate. implications of stigma behind it
lice (pediculosis)
- parasites that suck blood, leave excrement and eggs on skin and hair
- minute, red, non-inflammatory points
- pruritis
treatment of lice
shampoo and excessive combing
athletes foot (tinea pedis)
fungal infection that often occurs between the toes
- scaling and maceration
- erythema and blistering
- may be pruritic
treatment for athletes foot
creams and sprays
seborrheic keratosis
one of the most common noncancerous skin growths in older adults. waxy, scaly, can look like skin cancer, can feel like scabs. doesn’t become cancer
actinic keratosis
a think, scaly patch of skin that may become cancer
basal cell
characterized by erythema, ulcerations and well defined borders
squamous cell
tends to invade surrounding tissue as it grows. ulcerates, may bleed and is painful
skin cancer malignant melanoma
- a high number of moles, or large moles
- fair skin, freckling, blonde hair or blue eyes
- close relative with the disease
- men with gene changes from family Hx of breast or ovarian cancer
- treatment with medications that suppress the immune system
- too much exposure to UV radiation from sunlight, tanning lamps, or tanning booths
- over age 50
- xerodermapigmentosus, a rare inherited disease in which people are less able to repair damage caused by sunlight
- past hx of melanoma
