Kirrily - Skin Questions

Question 1

What is the primary function of the skin?

Answer 1

The primary function of the skin is to separate the cells of the body from the external environment - the skin is playing a fundamental role in homoeostasis and defence which are fundamental to our survival.

Question 2

The intrinsic effects of ageing result in:
1. 
3.
4.
5.

Answer 2

The intrinsic effects of ageing result in

• fine wrinkles,
• thinning of the skin
• loss of the fatty tissue in the hypodermis
• and progressive drying

Question 3

Extrinsic factors that can influence skin ageing include:

Answer 3

Extrinsic factors that can influence skin ageing include:

• over-washing, particularly with soap-based products;
• suboptimal personal hygiene,
• suboptimal diet; injury;
• diminished peripheral sensation through conditions such as diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease;
• reduced mobility;
• urinary and/or faecal incontinence;
• depression and dementia; and
• diabetes.

Question 4

Extrinsic factors typically produce
1. 
2.
3.
4.

Answer 4

Extrinsic factors typically produce

• rough dry skin
• coarse wrinkling,
• spider veins, and
• irregularities of pigmentation

Question 5

Changes in the skin cause four major problems, what are they?

Answer 5

These changes cause

• impaired wound healing,
• atrophy or thinning of the skin,
• vulnerability to external stimuli, and
• development of several benign and malignant diseases.

Question 6

Which cells are in the epidermis, what are their functions?

Answer 6

keratin, a tough protein which gives the epidermis its strength
melanocytes, produce the pigment melanin
Langerhans cell, immune function

Question 7

The dermis contains _____ and _____, which create ______ strength. It also contains ______ and ______ ______.

Answer 7

The dermis contains collagen and elastin, which create tensile strength. It also contains sweat and sebaceous glands.

Question 8

What is the rate of collagen loss per year?

Answer 8

1%

Question 9

The aged have reduced ability to detect noxious stimuli. why?

Answer 9

Reduced sense of touch and vibration. Consequently, serious injuries such as burns are more likely to occur.

Question 10

What are the four grades of pressure sores?

Answer 10

grade I – skin discolouration, usually red, blue, purple or black
grade II – some skin loss or damage involving the top-most skin layers
grade III – necrosis (death) or damage to the skin patch, limited to the skin layers
grade IV – necrosis (death) or damage to the skin patch and underlying structures, such as tendon, joint or bone.

Question 11

What are the complications of pressure sores?

Answer 11

sepsis (bacteria entering the bloodstream);
cellulitis (inflammation of body tissue, causing swelling and redness);
bone and joint infections;
abscess (a collection of pus).

Question 12

List the recommendations for skin care practices in older people

Answer 12

• Cleanse regularly, but reduce frequency of cleansing if the skin becomes dry.
• Wash the skin with warm rather than hot water and limit bathing time. This reduces the risk of skin dehydration.
• Wash the skin with soap substitutes.
• Dry the skin by gently patting with a towel. This reduces skin damage by abrasion
• Promote the use of emollients. This reduces skin dryness and increases comfort (Cowdell, 2019).