Integumentary Problems Flashcards
Anatomy and Physiology
- skin is the largest sensory organ and weights about 4kg (9lb).
- acts as the first line of defense, protects underlying tissues and organs, and receives stimuli from the external environment (touch, pressure, pain, and temp); relays information to the CNS.
- regulates normal body temp, excretes salt, water, and organic wastes; protects body from excessive water loss.
- synthesizes vit D3, which converts to calcitriol, for normal calcium metabolism; stores nutrients.
- layers: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis (subcutaneous fat).
- epidermal appendages: nails, hair, glands (sebaceous and sweat).
- normal bacteria flora: gram-positive and negative staphylococci, pseudomonas, streptococcus.
- a pH of 4.2 to 5.6 halts bacteria growth.
Risk Factors for Integumentary Problems
- exposure to chemical and environmental pollutants
- exposure to radiation
- race and age
- exposure to the sun or use of indoor tanning
- lack of personal hygiene habits
- use of harsh soaps or other harsh products
- some medications (such as long-term glucocorticoid or herbal preparations)
- nutritional deficiencies
- moderate to severe emotional stress
- infection, with injured areas (potential entry points)
- repeated injury and irritation
- genetic predisposition
- systemic illness
Phases of wound healing
- inflammatory: begins at the time of injury and lasts 3-5 days; local edema, pain, redness, and warmth.
- fibroblastic: begins the 4th day after injury and lasts 2-4 weeks; scar tissue forms and granulation tissue forms in the tissue bed.
- maturation: begins as early as 3 weeks after injury and may last for 1 year; scar tissue becomes thinner and is firm and inelastic on palpation.
Wound healing by intention
- 1st intention: wound edges are approximated and held in place (sutures) until healing occurs; wound is easily closed and dead space is eliminated.
- 2nd intention: occurs with injuries or wounds that have tissue loss and require gradual filling in of the dead space with connective tissue.
- 3rd intention: involves delayed primary closure and occurs with wounds that are intentionally left open for several days for irrigating or removal of debris and exudates; once debris has been removed and inflammation resolves, the wound is closed by 1st intention.
Types of exudate from wounds
- serous: clear or straw colored, occurs as a normal part of the healing process.
- serosanguineous: pink colored due to blood cells mixed with serous; normal part of the process.
- sanguineous: red drainage from trauma to a blood vessel; abnormal finding.
- hemorrhaging: frank blood from a leaking blood vessel; may require emergency treatment; abnormal.
- purulent: yellow, gray, or green drainage due to infection in the wound.
Diagnostic tests: skin biopsy
- collection of a small piece of skin tissue.
- methods: punch, excisional, and shave.
- preop: informed consent, cleanse site as prescribed.
- postop: place specimen in appropriate container and send to lab; surgically aseptic technique for dressing; assess site for bleeding and infection; instruct to keep dressing in place for at least 8hs and then clean daily and use ATB ointment as prescribed (sutures are usually removed 7-10 days after).
Diagnostic tests: skin/wound cultures
- small skin culture sample is obtained with a sterile applicator and appropriate type of tube (bacterial or viral)
- methods: scraping, punch biopsy, and collecting fluid (local anesthesia may be used)
- nasal swab is also commonly done to determine previous exposure to certain types of bacteria.
- postop: viral culture is placed immediately on ice.
Diagnostic tests: Wood’s light examination
- skin is viewed under ultraviolet light through a special glass (Wood’s glass) to identify superficial infections.
- preprocedure: explain and reassure that the light is not harmful to the skin or eyes; darken the room.
Diagnostic tests: Diascopy
- technique allows clearer inspection of lesions by eliminating the erythema caused by increased blood flow to the area.
- a glass slide is pressed over the lesion, causing blanching and revealing the lesion more clearly.
Candida Albicans
- superficial fungal infection of the skin and mucous membranes.
- also known as yeast infection (oral) or thrush.
- risk factors: immunosuppression, long-term ATB therapy, DM, and obesity.
- common areas: skin folds, perineum, vagina, axilla, and under the breasts.
- assessment: skin red and irritated (itches and stings); mucous membranes of the mouth shows red and whitish patches.
- interventions: keep skin clean and dry; turn and reposition client frequently; provide frequent mouth care; provide foods and fluids that are tepid in temp and nonirritating; antifungal meds may be prescribed.
Herpes Zoster (shingles): description
- can occur during any immunocompromised state in a client with a history of chickenpox; cause by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus.
- dormant virus is located in the dorsal nerve root ganglia of the sensory cranial and spinal nerves.
- eruptions occur in a segmental distribution on the skin area along the infected nerve and show up after several days of discomfort in the area.
- diagnosis is determined by visual examination and by Tzanck smear to verify and a viral culture to identify the organism.
- postherpetic neuralgia (severe pain) can remain after the lesions resolve.
- is contagious to individuals who never had chickenpox and who have not been vaccinated against the disease.
- herpes simplex virus is another type of virus; type 1 infection typically causes a cold sore (usually on the lip) and type 2 causes genital herpes typically below the waist (both types are contagious and may be present together).
Herpes Zoster (shingles): assessment and interventions
- assessment: unilaterally clustered skin vesicles along peripheral sensory nerves on the trunk, thorax, or face; fever, malaise, burning and pain, paresthesia, and puritus.
- interventions: isolate the client (standard and contact precautions as long as vesicles are present); assess for signs and symptoms of infection and necrosis; assess neurovascular status and 7th cranial nerve function (Bell’s palsy is a complication); keep environment cool (warmth and touch aggravate the pain); prevent client from scratching and rubbing; instruct to wear loose and light clothing; keep skin clean; topical and antiviral meds may be prescribed; vaccination for shingles is recommended for adults 50 years or older.
Methicillin-Resistent Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- can be community or hospital acquired.
- infection can range from mild to severe and can present as folliculitis or furuncles.
- folliculitis is a superficial infection of the follicle and presents as a raised red rash and pustules.
- furuncles occur deep in the follicle, presenting as very painful large, raised bumps that may or may not have a pustule.
- if MRSA infects the blood, sepsis, organ damage, and death can occur.
- assessment: culture and sensitivity test of the skin or wound confirms the infection.
- interventions: standard and contact precautions, monitor the client for signs of systemic or organ damage, adm ATB as prescribed.
Erysipelas and Cellulitis
- Erysipelas is an acute, superficial, rapidly spreading inflammation of the dermis and lymphatics caused by group A Streptococcus, which enters the tissue via an abrasion, bite, trauma, or wounds.
- Cellulitis is an infection of the dermis and underlying hypodermis caused usually by group A Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus.
- assessment: pain, tenderness, erythema, warmth, edema, fever.
- interventions: promote rest of affected area; apply warm compresses (promote circulation and decrease discomfort, erythema, and edema); apply ATB dressing, ointments, or gels as prescribed; adm ATB and obtain cultures as prescribed.
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac
- a dermatitis that develops from contact with urushiol from poison ivy, oak, or sumac plants.
- assessment: papulovesicular lesions, severe puritus.
- interventions: cleanse the skin immediately; apply cool, wet compresses or topical products to relieve the itching; topical or oral glucocorticoids may be prescribed for severe reactions.
Spider Bites
- almost all types of spider bites are venomous and most are not harmful, but bites from brown recluse, black widow, and tarantulas can produce toxic reactions.
- tetanus prophylaxis should be current because spider bites can be contaminated with tetanus spores.
- Brown recluse: can cause skin lesion, a necrotic wound, or systemic effects from the toxin (loxoscelism); application of ice decreases enzyme activity and limits tissue necrosis (should be done immediately and intermittently for up to 4 days after the bite); topical antiseptics and ATB may be necessary (if becomes infected).
- Black widow: bite causes a small red papule; venom causes neurotoxicity; ice is applied immediately to inhibit the action of the neurotoxin; systemic toxicity can occur, and the victim may require supportive therapy in the hospital.
- Tarantulas: bite causes swelling, redness, numbness, lymph inflammation, and pain; it launches its barbed hairs (which can penetrate the skin and eyes) producing a severe inflammatory reaction; hairs are removed ASAP, using sticky tape and then is thoroughly irrigated (for eyes use saline); involved extremity is elevated and immobilized to reduce pain and swelling; antihistamines and topical or systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed; tetanus prophylaxis is necessary.
Scorpion Stings
- inject venom through a stinging apparatus on their tail.
- cause local pain, inflammation, and mild systemic reactions that are treated with analgesics,wound care, and supportive treatment.
- bark scorpion can inflict a severe and potential fatal systemic response (specially children and elderly); venom is neurotoxic and the victim should be taken to the ED immediately (an antivenom is adm).
Bees and Wasps
- usually cause a wheal and flare reaction.
- emergency care involves quick removal of the stinger (tweezers are not used because there is a risk of pinching the venom sac) and application of an ice pack
- if victim is allergic, a severe reaction can occur and these individuals should carry an IM epinephrine autoinjector.
Snake bites
- some snakes are venomous and can cause a serious systemic reaction.
- victim should be immediately removed to a safe area away from the snake and should rest to decrease venom circulation; extremity is immobilized and kept bellow the level of the heart.
- constricting clothing and jewelry are removed before swelling occurs.
- victim is kept warm and is not allowed to consume caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which may speed absorption of the venom.
- a constricting band may be applied proximal to the wound to slow venom circulation (monitor and loosen band if edema occurs).
- wound is NOT incised or sucked to remove the venom; ice is NOT applied to the wound.
- emergency care in hospital is required; an antivenom may be adm.
- snake should not be transported with the victim for identification purposes unless it can be safely placed in a sealed container during transportation.
- Poison Control Center should be contacted ASAP to determine best initial management.
Frostbite
- is damage to tissues and blood vessels as a result of prolonged exposure to cold.
- 1st-degree: involves white plaque surrounded by a ring of hyperemia and edema.
- 2nd-degree: large, clear fluid-filled blisters with partial-thickness skin necrosis.
- 3rd-degree: involves the formation of small hemorrhagic blisters, usually followed by eschar formation involving the hypodermis requiring debridement.
- 4th-degree: no blisters or edema; full thickness necrosis with visible tissue loss extending into the muscle and bone, which may result in gangrene; amputation may be required.
- interventions: rewarm the affected part with warm water bath or towels at 40-42C (104-107.6F); avoid using dry heat and never rub or massage the area (handle gently and immobilize); apply loose and nonadherent sterile dressings (avoid compression); monitor for signs of compartment syndrome; tetanus prophylaxis is necessary and topical and systemic ATB may be prescribed; debridement of necrotic tissue may be needed or amputation if gangrene develops.
Actinic Keratoses
- caused by chronic exposure to the sun and appear as rough, scaly, red, or brown lesions that are usually found on the face, scalp, arms, and backs of the hands.
- lesions are considered premalignant, and there is risk for slow progression to squamous cell carcinoma.
- treatment includes meds, excision, cryotherapy, curettage, and laser therapy.
Skin Cancer: description and types
- is a malignant lesion, which may metastasize.
- over exposure to the sun is a primary cause; other causes include chronic skin damage from repeated injury and irritation such as tanning and use of tanning beds, genetic predisposition, ionizing radiation, light-skinned race, age older than 60y, an outdoor occupation, and exposure to chemical carcinogens.
- diagnosis is confirmed by skin biopsy.
Types - Base cell: arises from the basal cells contained in the epidermis; metastasis is rare, but underlying tissue destruction can progress to organ tissue.
- Squamous cell: is a tumor of the epidermal keratinocytes and can infiltrate surrounding structures and metastasize to lymph nodes.
- Melanoma: may occur any place on the body, especially where birthmarks or new moles are apparent; it is highly metastatic to the brain, lungs, bone, and liver, with survival depending on early diagnosis and treatment.
Skin Cancer: assessment and interventions
Assessment:
- change in color, size, or shape of preexisting lesion; pruritus and local soreness.
Interventions:
- instruct risk factors and preventive measures.
- monthly skin assessment to monitor lesions that do not heal or that change characteristics.
- management may include surgical (cryosurgery, curettage and electrodessication) or nonsurgical interventions.
Psoriasis
- a chronic, noninfectious skin inflammation occuring with remissions and an autoimmune reactions; a genetic predisposition may also be a cause.
- may be exacerbated by the use of certain meds and some individuals develop arthritis.
- Koebner phenomenon is the development of psoriatic lesions at a site of injury (prompt cleansing may prevent or lessen).
- the goal of therapy is to reduce cell proliferation and inflammation, and the type of therapy prescribed depends on the extent of the disease and client’s response.
- assessment: pruritus, shedding, yellow discoloration, pitting, and thickening of the nails, joint inflammation.
- interventions: emotional support, instruct in the use of prescribed meds, avoid over-the-counter meds, keep skin lubricated, wear light cotton clothing and reduce stress.