Integumentary Flashcards
Seborrhea
Oily skin
Petechiae
Tiny pinpoint (<3mm) hemorrhages, superficial bleeding from capillaries under skin
Pallor
Pale or lighter skin color than usual.
Pruritus
Intense itching causing the desire to scratch
Pigmentation
Skin color
Vitiligo
Skin areas without usual brown pigment
Urticaria
Hives, skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps.
Xerosis
Dry skin
Nevus
Mole
What layer of skin contains blood vessels, hair follicles, and nerve endings?
Dermis
True or false: The dermis is composed of thick fibrous connective tissue?
True: The demis is composed of a thick fibrous protein called collagen that provides flexibility to resist tearing with movement.
What layer of the skin prevents water loss?
Epidermis
What layer of the skin secretes melanin?
Epidermis
What layer of skin contains fat stores for energy?
Subcutaneous
Hypopigmentation
Decrease in skin color
Hyperpigmentation
Increase in skin color
Cyanosis
Bluish color of skin
Ecchymosis
Bruises, spot or blotch larger than petechiae. Also called contusions
Hematoma
Blood clot in organ space, or tissue – raised
Diaphoresis
Profuse perspiration
Jaundice
Yellow color of skin, caused by increase in bilirubin
Edema
Swelling, presence of excess interstitial fluid.
Erythema
Inflammation of skin atea
Purpura
Collection of petechia and ecchymosis covering an area.
Macule
Primary lesion, flat, area of pigment change less than 1cm
Ex: freckle, mole, measles, scarlet fever
Petichiae can be a type of macule, but specifically vascular
Patch
Primary lesion, flat, pigment change greater than 1 cm
Ex: birthmark, vitiligo, cafe au lait > 1 cm
Papule
Primary lesion, raised, less than 1 cm
Ex: Wart, skin tag, elevated mole
Plaque
Primary lesion, raised, greater than 1cm area (usually well defined with clear borders)
Ex: psoriasis, eczema
Wheal
Primary lesion, raised/solid, irregular area of edema on the skin
Ex: bug bites, allergic reaction, hives
Nodule
Primary lesion, raised/solid, <2 cm firm area originating from deeper in the dermis.
Ex: melanoma, hemangioma
Tumor
Primary lesion, raised/solid, >2 cm firm area originating deeper in the dermis.
Ex: Lipoma, neoplasm
Vesicle
Primary lesion, raised/fluid filled, superficial, <1 cm filled with serous fluid
Ex: chicken pox, shingles, herpes simplex
Bulla
Primary lesion, raised/fluid filled, >1 cm, superficial, filled with serous fluid
Ex: blister, medication reaction
Pustule
Primary lesion, raised/fluid filled, <1cm, filled with purulent fluid
Ex: acne
Cyst
Primary lesion, raised/fluid filled, encapsulated arising from the dermis or subcutaneous layer, filled with liquid or semi-solid fluid
Ex: cystic acne, sebaceous cyst
ABCDE Rules for Skin Cancer
A = asymmetry B = border, irregular C = color variation D = diameter >6mm, or a pencil eraser E = evolving, changing in size, composition, or color
Reddened area that does not blanch with pressure, has a different texture (firmer or softer) or different temperature (warmer or cooler) than surrounding tissue.
Stage I pressure ulcer
Partial loss of dermis with shiny or dry pink wound bed and may present as an intact or ruptured blister.
Stage II pressure ulcer
Full thickness skin loss with damage or necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous fat may be visible. Dead tissue may be present in wound bed,
Stage III pressure ulcer
Full thickness skin loss with exposed bone, muscle, or tendon. Dead tissue may be present in the wound bed.
Stage IV pressure ulcer
Mottled
marbled appearance that may be baseline but can be related to poor circulation or cardiovascular issues
two places to check for pallor regardless of skin tones
conjunctival sac, oral and buccal membranes
what to palpate erythema for
increased warmth, induration, tautness
places to check for early jaundice
junction of soft and hard palates, sclera, blanched forehead (usually starts at head, then trunk, then extremities)
central/circumoral cyanosis is an [early/late] sign of cyanosis
late – they probably need oxygen.
occurring in a straight line
linear: can be discrete or confluent
arcs or rings
arciform: can be annular – ringlike with raised borders around round, flat clear center
circular
circunate
several lesions grouped together
clustered or grouped
with wavy borders, snakelike aka gyrate
serpiginous
scale
secondary: shedding dead skin cells, may be dry and loose or oily and adherent.
ex: psoriasis
fissure
secondary: linear cleft in the skin extending through epidermis into the dermis, they usually occur when skin is dry and thickened. Often seen in heels, between fingers and toes, sides of mouth
excoriation
secondary: loss of outer skin layers from itching or rubbing
ex: scratched insect bite
erosion
secondary: loss of epidermis that does not extend into dermis
ex: popped blister, ruptured chicken pox vesicle
keloid
palpable fibrous overgrowth after the scar formation
hemangioma
benign proliferation of blood vessels in the dermis
purpura
flat macular hemorrhage under skin, does not blanche, 3-10 mm, possibly raised
places to check for skin turgor
under clavicle (preferred) or on dorsal surface of hand
hirsutism
excessive growth of hair or hair in unusual places (can be related to hormonal imbalances)
clubbed nails
can be from chronic hypoxia
which direction is the clock oriented for documenting wounds?
noon is towards the head
