Integumentary System Flashcards
Cellulitis definition
Rapid spreading inflammation of
skin and connective tissues due
to bacterial infection
Cellulitis etiology
Bacterial infection
including streptococci or
staphylococci
Cellulitis S&S:
Localized redness that
may spread quickly or
streak, warmth/heat, local
abscess or ulceration,
tenderness to palpation,
chills, fever, malaise
Cellulitis treatment
Pharmacological
using systemic antibiotics,
rule out DVT and contact
dermatitis
Contact dermatitis Definiton
Superficial irritation of skin
resulting from localized
irritation
Ex: poison ivy, latex, soap, jewelry
Contact dermatitis etiology:
Exposure to
mechanical, chemical,
environmental, or biological
agents
Cellulitis S&S
Intense itching, burning,
and red skin
Contact Dermatitis treatment
Identifying and
removing source of irritation
Contact dermatitis implications for PT
Consider
external substances – creams,
gels, electrodes, etc
Eczema definition
“Dermatitis”
Group of disorders that cause
chronic skin irritation due to
immune system abnormality,
allergic reactions, or external
irritant
Eczema Etiology:
Based on the particular
form of the disorder
Eczema S&S:
Red or brown-gray, itchy, lichenified
skin plaques
Eczema treatment
Pharmacological interventions
– topical or oral corticosteroids, oral
antibiotics, histamines
Dry Gangrene definition
Dry”- loss of vascular supply resulting in local tissue death
* Most common – fingers, toes, limbs
Dry gangrene etiology
Blood vessel diseases such as DM or atherosclerosis
* Develops where blood flow is impaired due to poor circulation
Dry gangrene S&S
Dark brown or black
nonviable tissue that becomes a
hardened mass (
Dry gangrene treatment :
Serious medical
condition and requires
immediate medical intervention
Wet Gangrene defintion
Wet” – associated bacterial infection in the affected tissue
* Complication of an infected untreated wound
Wet Gangrene etiology:
Develops after severe burn, frostbite, or injury
* Requires immediate medical attention because it spreads
quickly and can be fatal
Wet gangrene S&S
Swelling and pain at site
of infection, change in skin
color from red to brown to
black, blisters producing pus,
malaise
Wet Gangrene treatment:
Surgical
debridement of gangrene and
IV antibiotic treatment
Plaque Psoriasis defintion:
T cells trigger inflammation within skin and produce an
accelerated rate of skin cell growth
* Skin cells accumulate in raised red patches on surface of
skin
Plaque Psoriasis etiology
Injury to skin, insufficient or excess sunlight, stress,
excessive alcohol, HIV infection, smoking, and certain
medications
Plaque Psoriasis S&S
Raised red blotches that present in bilateral fashion
(knees/elbows), can appear anywhere and itch/flake.
Plaque Psoriasis treatment
Symptom control and prevent secondary infection
Standard precautions when treating patients with integumentary
involvement:
prevent risk of infection
observed:
edema
color
temp
documentation
