Integumentary Flashcards
A 75 y/o patient presents to PT with a large cut on his forearm. He reports he hit his arm on his kitchen table prior to coming to his appointment. What integumentary changes are most likely to have increased his risk of integumentary damage?
- Skin thickness decreases w/ age (~70 full thickness)
- Thinner skin layers
- Reduced vascularity
- Reduced elastin/collagen
- Reduced metabolism
A patient sustains a superficial integumentary wound on her hand from a clean kitchen knife while cooking 7 days ago. Upon inspection, the wound appears completely closed with no signs of infection. This is most likely classified as what type of tissue union?
a. Secondary
b. Primary
c. Tertiary
Primary; no major loss of connective tissue; closure time 3-7 days; no contamination
A 65 y/o male with a BMI of 37 presents to PT with a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency. He currently has a mid-size ulceration approx. 5 cm above his medial malleolus that is producing copious amounts of drainage. With appropriate management, this wound’s healing will most likely be classified as what type of tissue union?
a. Secondary
b. Primary
c. Tertiary
Secondary: full thickness, little epithelialization; chronic wounds, pressure injuries, venous ulcerations, and other open wounds health through secondary intention
A 45 y/o farmer sustained a large laceration on his R anterior thigh from a large piece of equipment. The patient reports there was significant dirt and debris in the wound initially. The wound was closed 5 days after the initial injury to allow drainage. This is most likely classified as what type of tissue union?
a. Secondary
b. Primary
c. Tertiary
Tertiary: used for contaminated wounds; closure will result in too much tension; usually closed within 5-7 days of initial injury
Describe the general process of tissue healing for an epidermal (superficial or partial-thickness) wound
- Heals through regeneration
- Epithelial cells proliferate & migrate from wounds margin; need a clean wound border to migrate
–> usually heals w/out scarring - If dermal tissue is involved, then granulation occurs simultaneously
- Moist wounds epithelialize much quicker than wounds left open to air
Describe the general process of tissue healing for a dermal (full-thickness) wound
Four overlapping phases:
1. homeostasis (after growth factors released): vasoconstriction to reduce loss/prevent infection; fibrin plug formation; 10-15 minutes; growth factors released
- Inflammation (24-48 hrs): cardinal signs present; phagocytosis + neovascularization begin @ end of this cycle; key cells: platelets, leukocytes, macrophages, mast cells
- Granulation/Proliferation/Fibroblastic phase: angiogenesis, granulation formation, wound contraction, epithelialization; Key cells: myofibroblasts,
- Maturation/Matrix Formation: Collagen synthesis & alignment
Discuss factors that may result in delayed wound healing
- Advanced age
- Impaired oxygenation
- Poor nutrition (↓ protein/vitamins/minerals or poor caloric intake)
- Comorbidities
- Wound bioburden
- Infection
- Medications (chemo, NSAIDs, steroids)
- Disease (diabetes, kidney disease, HTN, CVD, CPD, hyperlipidemia)
- Stress
- Cool temperatures (reduce cellular metabolism)
- Iatrogenic (excessive pressure, sheer, desiccation, moisture)
- Smoking
A 55 y/o with a known history of DM type II presents to PT following a TKA. He complains of severe itching that has become quite bothersome. What is the term for this & what conditions is it usually associated with?
Pruritis
Common in: diabetes, drug hypersensitivity, hyperthyroidism
A 25 y/o female presents to PT following an ACL reconstruction. When her bandages are removed to inspect the surgical incision, there is notable red elevated patches of skin where the adhesive was in contact with the skin. What is the term for this & what condition(s) is it usually associated with?
- Urticaria
- Common in: allergic response to drugs or infection
A patient is experiencing localized redness and eruption on the skin and complains of itchiness after receiving a new medication; What is the term for this & what condition(s) is it usually associated with?
- Rash
- Common in: inflammation, skin diseases, chronic alcoholism, vasomotor disturbances, fever, and diaper rash/heat rash/drug rash
Define xeroderma and the condition(s) it is most likely associated with
- excessively dry skin w/ shedding of epithelium
- thyroid deficiency, diabetes
Splinter hemmorages seen under nails may indicate what?
cardiac or renal dysfunction
Discuss Stemmer’s Sign
- Skin pinch test on dorsum of second finger or second toe
- Early sign of primary lymphedema
A 56 y/o female with a history of chronic alcohol abuse presents with wrist pain. Upon examination, her palms appear to be a bright, cherry red color bilaterally. What may this indicate?
Liver or renal issues
When examining a patient for cyanosis, what is one way to differentiate between central and peripheral impaction?
- Central: look at lips, oral mucosa, tongue
- Peripheral: look at nail beds
Liver spots may be associated with what?
Age, uterine or liver malignancies, pregnancy
Hyperhidrosis may result from what?
Fever, pneumonic crisis, drugs, hot drink ingestion, exercise
Hypohidrosis may result from what?
Dehydration, ichthyosis, hypothyroidism
Define hirsutism and what some potential causes are?
- Male pattern hair growth (facial & body)
- May indicate PCOS, Cushing’s, tumor, or be inherited
Differentiate the following types of wound drainage:
Serous
Serosanguineous
Sanguineous
Purulent
Serous: watery serum, clear/yellow
Serosanguineous: mix; pinkish in color
Sanguineous: containing blood; red or reddish
Purulent: containing pus
An ulcer that is slow to heal but is not painful would likely be categorized as what?
Indolent ulcer
Actinic dermatitis causes include
- photosensitivity, reaction to sunlight, ultraviolet light
Contact dermatitis causes include
chemicals, harsh soaps, adhesives, etc.
Atopic dermatitis is caused by what?
Etiology unknown; associated w/ allergic, hereditary, or psychological disorders
What are some precautions or contraindications associated with dermatitis?
- Some physical therapy modalities
- Avoid use of alcohol
Discuss cellulitis, its causes, presentation, management, and consequences of non-treatment
- Inflammation of cellular or connective tissue
in or close to the skin - Tends to be poorly defined & widespread
- Strep or staph usually the cause
- Skin is hot, red, & erythematous
- Management: antibiotics, elevation, cool, wet
dressings - Untreated: gangrene, lymphangitis, abscess,
sepsis
Discuss the typical presentation of herpes zoster (shingles)
- Caused by varicella-zoster
- Pain & tingling in spinal or cranial nerve dermatome
- Progresses to red papule along distribution/infected nerve
- Other sxs: fever, chills, malaise, GI probs
- Management: no curative agent, antiviral drugs to slow progression, symptomatic tx
- Heat/ultrasound contraindicated
Fungal infections such as tinea corporis or tinea pedis warrant what type of precautions?
Observe standard precautions
What is the treatment for candidiasis?
Skin care (reduce moisture), antifungal ointments, and potentially silver-infused dressing for skin folds
Parasitic infections such as lice or scabies warrant what type of precautions
Observe standard precautions
Avoid direct contact
Physical therapy management of lupus erythematosus
Skin care, prevention of deconditioning/secondary MSK impairments, joint pain relief, fatigue management, patient education on lifestyle
Discuss systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), including characteristics, PT management, and precautions
- Chronic, autoimmune diffuse disease of connect tissues –> fibrosis of skin, joints, blood vessels, & internal organs
- Usually accompanied by Raynaud’s
- Skin is taut, firm, edematous, & firmly bound to subQ layer
- PT management: skin management (hydration & pressure relief), exercise, joint protection, prevention of contractures/deformities
- Precautions: pressure, acute HTN (monitor vital signs), pulmonary HTN may lead to right-sided heart failure
Discuss polymyositis & dermatomyositis
- Polymyositis: autoimmune myopathy characterized by edema, inflammation, & proximal muscle degeneration
- dermatomyositis: Polymyositis presentation + characteristic skin rash (immunologically different, but present the same)
- Unknown etiology
- Variable onset, can be fatal
- RED FLAG: additional muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) may occur w/ excessive exercise; contractures + pressure injuries may result from rest/inactivity
- PT management: fatigue management, energy conservation, low-level aerobic & resistance exercise, avoid overload, skin care & positioning, monitor for medication side effects (e.g. steroids)
Discuss the ABCDEs of clinical examination of malignant melanomas
- Asymmetry: uneven edges, lopsided
- Border: irregular, poorly defined edges, notching
- Color: variations, especially mixtures of black, blue, or red
- Diameter: > 6 mm
- Elevation (or evolving): usually elevated, but may be flat; moles that changed over time
Discuss Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)
- Lesions of vascular ednorlialt cell origin
- Associated w/ HIV/AIDs
- Common on lower extremities
- Itching & pain common
- PT management: wound care, pulsed lavage with suction for local lesions, skin care, avoid positions that cause edema/shear force/contractures
Differentiate the following:
Contusion
Ecchymosis
Petechiae
Abrasion
Laceration
Contusion: injury where skin is not broken; pain, swelling, discoloration
Ecchymosis: bluish discoloration of skin caused by extravasation of blood into subcutaneous tissues; the result of trauma to underlying blood vessels or fragile vessel walls
Petechiae: tiny red or purple hemorrhagic spends on the skin
Abrasion: scraping away of skin due to injury or mechanical abrasion (e.g. dermabrasion)
Laceration: an irregular tear of the skin that produces a torn, jagged wound
Discuss the etiology of venous ulcers
- Associated w/ chronic venous insufficiency, valvular incompetence, DVT, venous HTN, calf muscle pump failure
- High recurrence rate
- Arterial insufficiency may coexist
Review the common clinical features of venous ulcers
- Can occur anywhere in the lower leg
- Common over medial malleolus
- Normal pulse
- May be painful in dependent position
- Color: normal or cyanotic; hemosiderin staining common; lipsclerosis possible
- Temperature: normal
- Edema: present, often marked
- Skin changes: pigmentation, stasis dermatitis, atrophy blanche lesions
- Ulceration: wet, high exudate
- Gangrene: absent
Discuss the differential diagnosis of arterial and venous ulcers
Etiology: arteriosclerosis/atheroembolism vs. valvular incompetence/venous HTN
Appearance: arterial ulcers usually irregular, deep, & have little to no granulation tissue; venous ulcers tend to be dark & shallow with good granulation
Location: arterial ulcers appear on toes, feet, lateral malleolus, & anterior tibia; venous most common on medial malleolus
Pedal pulse: arterial –> absent; venous –> usually present
Pain: arterial ulcers usually painful, especially with elevation; venous ulcers usually very little & not affected by elevation
Drainage: arterial –> none; venous –> copious
Gangrene: arterial –> may be present; venous –> absent
Associated signs: arterial –> trophic changes, pallor on elevation, rubor on dependency; venous–> edema, stasis dermatitis, cyanosis on dependency
Discuss interventions for venous ulcers
- short-stretch bandages (worn day & night)
- compression pump as adjunct (45-60 mmHg)
- Limb elevation
- Exercise/weight control
- compression garments: 20-55 mmHg at ankle; use least amount of pressure effective
Contraindications for compression therapy include what?
- High compression contraindicated w/ ABI < 0.7
- All sustained compression contraindicated w/ ABI < 0.6 or active DVT
Discuss the etiology of arterial ulcers
- Chronic arterial insufficiency, arteriosclerosis obliterans, thromboangitiitis obliterans, and atheroembolism
- Hx of minor non-healing trauma
Discuss the clinical features of arterial ulcers
- Can occur anywhere on lower leg
- Most common: toes, feet, bony prominences
- Preceded by s/s of arterial insufficiency: poor/absent pulse, intermittent claudication
- Pain often severe, exacerbated by elevation
- Color: pale or cyanotic, pale on elevation, rubor on dependency
- Temperature: cool
- Skin changes: thin, shiny skin; hair loss, thickened nails
- Can be deep ulcers
- Gangrene: black, gangrenous skin adjacent to ulcer can develop