Derm/Burns Flashcards
Integumentary System Functions
- protects the body from pathogen invasions
- regulates temperature
- senses environmental changes
- maintains water balance
Epidermis
- superficial/outer layer
- melanocytes synthesize pigment (melanin)
- melanin: pigment that protects
- Keratin: protein that strengthens
Dermis
- middle, deeper layer of skin “true skin”
- rich blood supply
- mast cells
- macrophages
- sweat glands
Hypodermis
- SQ
- lowest lying layer of connective tissue
- connects dermis to muscle
- contains macrophages, fibroblasts, fat cells, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, hair follicle roots, fine muscles
Sebaceous gland
- produce sebum to moisturize and protect the skin
- greatest number on palms, hands, feet soles, forehead
Sweat glands
Eccrine glands: secrete through skin pores in response to the SNS. Greatest number on face, chest, and back
Apocrine glands: fewer in #, produce more sweat, ducts open into the hair follicles. Found in the axillae, scalp, face, and external genitalia.
Age related changes r/t skin
-decreased sensations of pain, vibration, cold, heat, pressure, and touch.
- increased risk of injury including falls, decubitus ulcers, burns, and hypothermia
-decreased elasticity, integrity, and moisture
-appears thin, pale and translucent
-epidermis thins even through the number of cell layers remains unchanged
-large pigmented spots (lentigos) may appear in sun-exposed areas
-changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin’s strength and elasticity
-dermis blood vessels become fragile, leading to bruising, cherry angiomas, and other similar conditions
sebaceous glands produce less sebum
-subcutaneous fat layer thins
-sweat glands produce less sweat
-repairs itself more slowly
Assessment of the skin
- preparation of the patient: explain purpose, provide privacy and coverings
- assessment questions
- inspect entire body
- wear gloves
- assess any lesions; palpate and measure
- note hair distribution
- photographs may be used to document nature and extent of skin conditions and to document progress resulting from treatment. Photographs may also be used to track moles
Papule
elevated mass with circumscribed border <0.5 cm
EX: elevated nevi, warts, lichen planus
Nodule
elevated, palpable, firm, solid, circumscribed lesion that extends deeper into dermis than a papule; 0.5-2 cm
EX: squamous cell carcinoma, lipoma, poorly absorbed injections
Plaque
coalesced papules with flat top >0.5 cm
EX: psoriasis, actinic keratosis
Tumor
don’t always have sharp borders; >1-2 cm
EX: larger lipoma, carcinoma
Macule
Flat, nonpalpable skin color change (brown, white, tan, purple, red) with circumscribed border <1cm
EX: freckles, flat moles, petechial, rubella, port wine stains, ecchymosis, vitiligo
Patch
> 1cm; may have irregular border
Wheal
elevated irregular shaped area of cutaneous edema with varying size and color caused by movement of serous fluid into the dermis
EX: urticarial (hives), insect bites
Vesicle
Elevated, circumscribed, palpable mass containing serous fluid <0.5 cm
EX: herpes, chickenpox, poison ivy, 2nd degree burn blisters
Bulla
> 0.5 cm
EX: pemphigus, contact dermatitis, large burn blisters, poison ivy, bullous impetigo
Pustule
puss-filled vesicle or bulla
EX: acne, impetigo
Cyst
encapsulated fluid-filled or semisolid mass in the SQ tissue or dermis
Scales
-2ndary lesion
-flaky skin; dead epithelium; color varies (silver/white); texture varies (thick/fine)
EX: dandruff, psoriasis, dry skin, pityriasis rosea
Erosion
-2ndary lesion
-loss of superficial epidermis that doesn’t extend to the dermis; depressed, moist area
EX: ruptured vesicles, scratch marks
Ulcer
-2ndary lesion
-skin loss extending past the epidermis, necrotic tissue loss, bleeding and scarring possible
EX: pressure ulcer
Fissure
-2ndary lesion
-linear crack in the skin that may extend to dermis
EX: chapped lips, athlete’s foot
Crust
-2ndary lesion
- dried residue of serum, blood or pus on skin. large adherent crust is a scab
EX: impetigo, herpes, eczema