Integumentary System Flashcards
Functions of the Skin
Protects against microbial/foreign substance invasion and minor physical trauma
Restricts body fluid loss; provides a restrictive barrier
Regulates body temperature
Provides sensory perception via free nerve endings and specialized receptors
Produces vitamin D from precursors in the skin
Contributes to blood pressure regulation through constriction of skin blood vessels
Repairs surface wounds by exaggerating the normal process of cell replacement
Excretes sweat, urea, and lactic acid
Expresses emotions
History of Present Illness: Skin
Changes in skin Temporal sequence Symptoms Location Associated symptoms Recent exposure Apparent cause Travel history Treatment response Adjustment to problem Medications Trauma Bites
HPI: Hair
Changes in hair Occurrence Associated symptoms Exposure Infestation Nutrition Treatment Adjustment Medication
HPI: Nails
Changes in nails Recent history Associated symptoms Temporal sequence Exposure Treatment response Medications
Skin - PMH
Previous skin problems
Lesions, treatment
Tolerance to sunlight, number of sunburns
Diminished or heightened sensitivity to touch
Cardiac, respiratory, liver, endocrine, or other systemic disease
Pruritis
Hair PMH
Previous hair problems
Systemic problems
Nail - PMH
Previous nail problems
Nail injury
Bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
Systemic problems
Associated skin disorder
Congenital anomalies
Respiratory, cardiac, endocrine, hematologic, or other systemic diseases
Family Hx
Current or past dermatologic diseases or disorders in family members
Allergic hereditary diseases: asthma, allergic rhinitis
Familial hair loss or pigmentation patterns
Personal and social history
Skin, hair, nail care habits
Skin self-examination
Exposure to environmental/occupational hazards
Recent psychologic or physical stress
Use of alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs
Sexual history
Equipment
Centimeter ruler
Flashlight or penlight
Handheld magnifying lens or dermatoscope
Wood’s lamp – to view fluorescing or depigmented lesions
Inspection
Adequate lighting
Inspect skin, re-drap or cover areas not inspecting for warmth and modesty
Inspect the skin in two ways
Overall visual sweep of the entire skin surface
Observe the skin as each part of the body is examined
Note 6 characteristics in each part of the body
Color Uniformity Thickness Symmetry Hygiene Presence of any lesions, which are any pathologic skin change or occurrence.
Palpation
Palpate to detect moisture..
Use the dorsal surface of your hands to assess temperature.
Check the texture, which should be smooth, soft, and even.
Roughness on exposed skin or areas of pressure may occur.
Evaluate turgor and mobility
Lesions - Note:
Size (measured in centimeters in all dimensions)
Shape
Color
Texture
Elevation or depression
Attachment at the base
If exudate – note color, odor, amount, and consistency
If more than one lesion, note if it is:
Annular (or ring-shaped) Arciform (or bow-shaped) Grouped Linear Diffuse.
Record lesions’ location and distribution
Generalized or localized
Affect a specific body region
Form a pattern
Discrete or confluent
Use a light and magnifying glass to determine
the lesion’s subtle details, including color, elevation, and borders.
To see if fluid is present in a cyst
or mass, trans-illuminate it in a darkened room.
A fluid-filled lesion trans-illuminates with a red glow; a solid lesion does not.
To further identify a lesion, shines a
Wood’s lamp on the area in a darkened room
Use inspection and palpation to assess
the hair:
Palpate its texture.
Inspect the hair for three characteristics: color, distribution, and quantity.
Palpate hair for texture and fragility
Hair distribution and quantity