Integumentary screening Flashcards
define pallor
pale; decreased pigmentation; possibly from blood abnormality or liver disease
define rubor
dusky red from arterial insuffiency from peripheral vascular disease
what causes hyperpigmentation
Addisons disease
pregnancy
talk about some strategies for assessing darker skin
-observe palms of hands and soles of feet, tongue, lips and gums, eyes
-pallor may present as yellow or ashy gray
-skin rashes: check for texture changes
-edema may tighten skin
-normal mucosa may appear freckled
-petechia: check areas with lighter skin; red coloration
differentiate petechia from erythema
what are cherry angiomas
-fire red, round, smooth borders, small up to 3mm
-benign and genetic
-increase with age
what are spider angiomas
-fire red, radiation legs, small up to 2 mm
-commonly occurs with aging
-in some cases, may be associated with liver disease, pregnancy, or estrogen therapy
what is actinic keratosis
most common precancer that forms on skin damaged by chronic exposure to UV rays
-flat to slightly raised, crusty
-red, tan, pink, skin color
-often on areas of UV exposure
what is xanthomas
-benign fatty fibrous yellow plaques or nodules in subcutaenous layer
-occur with disorders of lipid metabolism
-may occur w leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma
-early sign of underlying RA
-might occur with normal aging
what is shingles/herpes zoster
-anyone who has had chicken pox are suscedible and >50, have illness or injury, are under stress, weak immune system
-warning: 1-3 days where skin may burn/itch/tingle..then pain increases a lot
-rash/blisters for 2-3 weeks
-flu like symptoms
-not contagious
what is post-herpetic neuralgia
-long lasting pain in the area of the shingles rash
-results in reduced QOL, function, physio well being
what are broken capillary blood vessels
petechia: <3 mm
purpua: > 3mm
ecchymosis
sign of underlying bleeding
what are the benign types of skin cancer
-basal cell carcinoma (most common)
-squamous cell carcinoma
what is the highest risk skin cancer
malignant melanoma
