Integumentary Flashcards
What are the layers of the skin?
Epidermis
Dermis
What is the function of the epidermis?
- temperature regulation
- moisture regulation
- sensation
- protection from infection/disease
- cosmesis
- interaction with the environment
What are the 5 layers of the epidermis?
“Come, Let’s Get a Sun Burn”
- Stratum Corneum
- Stratum Lucidium
- Stratum Granulosum
- Stratum Spinosum
- Stratum Basale
What are the other important epidermal cells?
- melanocytes
- merkel cells
- langerhans cells
What is the function of melanocytes?
- produce melanin to give skin its pigment and protect from harmful UV rays
What is the function of Merkel cells?
- specialized mechanoreceptors to provide information about light touch
What is the function of Langerhans cells?
- located in the deeper epidermal layers
- help fight infection by attacking and engulfing foreign material
What is the function of the dermis?
- 2 layers that are highly vascularized
- fibroblasts in this layer produce collagen and elastin
- nerve endings located here
- contains support structures: hair follicles, sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands, vasculature, and lymphatics
What are the risk factors that increase the risk of wounds and impaired wound healing?
- medications (anticoagulants, steroids, immunosuppressants)
- diabetes (chronic blood sugar > 250)
- tobacco use
- poor nutritional status (especially protein –> look at albumin & pre-albumin)
- CV comorbidities (arterial/venous disease, heart failure)
- reactive/autoimmune processes
- reduced mobility
Define a decubitus ulcer
- a lesion caused by unrelieved pressure resulting in damage to the underlying tissues
Where do decubitus ulcers typically occur?
over bony prominences
- sacrum
- heels
- ischial tuberosity
- greater trochanter
What is the pathogenesis of decubitus ulcers?
pressure –> ischemia –> tissue necrosis
Describe a stage 1 decubitus ulcer
- non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
- lesion of skin ulceration
- discoloration of skin in individuals with darker skin
- warmth
- edema
- induration
- hardness
Describe a stage 2 decubitus ulcer
- partial-thickness skin loss involving epidermis, dermis or both
- superficial and presents clinically as an abrasion
- blister
- shallow center
Describe a stage 3 decubitus ulcer
- full-thickness skin loss involving damage to, or necrosis of, subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to, but not through, underlying fascia
- presents clinically as a deep crater with or without undermining of adjacent tissue
Describe a stage 4 decubitus ulcer
- full-thickness skin loss with extensive destruction
- tissue necrosis
- damage to muscle, bone, or support structures
- undermining and sinus tracts may also be associated
- assume the patient has osteomyelitis
What colors may a decubitus ulcer present with?
- red
- brown
- black
- yellow
What should be noted about decubitus ulcers
- can have a localized, self-limiting infection
- foul smelling exudate may be present
- wound may be painful unless pt has decreased sensation
How is a decubitus ulcer prevented?
- bed positioning (change ever two hours)
- WC cushioning and unweighting/pressure relief exercises
- if the patient is unable to perform pressure relief, a tilt in space WC may be appropriate
Name the stages of burns
- first degree (superficial burns)
- second degree (partial thickness burns)
- third degree (full thickness burns)
Describe a first degree burn
- only epidermis affected
- skin is red, dry, and painful
- no blisters
- usually heals within 1 week
- no long-term damage
Ex: sunburn, burn from curling iron
Describe a second degree burn
- epidermis and part of dermis damaged
- skin is red, blistered, swollen, and painful
- skin may appear wet or shiny
- skin may be white/irregularly discolored
- dressing changes may be painful
- may heal in 3 weeks (or require more advanced management)
- can be classified as superficial or deep
Describe a third degree burn
- epidermis and entire dermis are damaged
- dry, leathery skin
- brown, yellow, or black skin
- no pain due to burned nerve endings
- requires extensive medical management for healing
What is the Rule of 9’s used for?
to calculate the total surface area for a burn injury
For the Rule of 9’s:
What percent are the head, chest, abdomen, upper back, and lower back?
9% each
For the Rule of 9’s:
What percent is a single arm?
9%
4.5% for the front and 4.5% for the back
For the Rule of 9’s:
What percent is a single leg?
18%
9% for the front and 9% for the back
For the Rule of 9’s:
What percent are the genitals?
1%