Module 8- Part 1 Integument

Question 1

what are the functions of the skin?

Answer 1

• protection: skin minimizes injury from physical, chemical, thermal, and light wave sources
• prevention and penetration: stops invasion of microorganisms and loss of water/electrolytes within body
• perception: skin is sensory surface for touch, pain, temp
• temperature regulation: allows heat dissipation through sweat glands and heat storage through subcutaneous insulation
• identification: hair, skin colour, fingerprints
• communication: blushing, blanching (pale)
• wound repair: allows cell replacement of surface wounds
• absorption and excretion: allows limited excretion of some metabolic wastes
• production of vitamin D: skin is surface where UV lights converts cholesterol into vitamin D

Question 2

what does the term comorbidity mean?

Answer 2

simultaneous presence of two chronic conditions or diseases in a patient

Question 3

list some abnormalities for hair, skin, nails

Answer 3

• abnormal colour in skin
• lesions on scalp
• splitting nails
• extreme dryness in lips/face

Question 4

what are the general components of objective data for skin?

Answer 4

pigmentation, temp., moisture, texture, thickness, edema, mobility and turgor, vascularity and bruising, and lesions

Question 5

what is ecchymosis?

Answer 5

bruising

Question 6

what is psoriasis?

Answer 6

patches of abnormal skin

Question 7

what is pruritus?

Answer 7

severe itching

Question 8

what is pallor?

Answer 8

When the skin takes on the colour of collagen as a result of inadequate oxygenated hemoglobin in the circulating blood (eg. pale)

Question 9

what is cyanosis?

Answer 9

a bluish tinged skin

Question 10

whats flush?

Answer 10

a blush or sudden reddening of the face and neck

Question 11

whats jaundice?

Answer 11

a yellowish tinged skin

Question 12

whats a pressure ulcer?

Answer 12

result of localized deficiency in the blood supply to the tissue

Question 13

whats a hematoma?

Answer 13

a collection of extravasated blood trapped in tissues of the skin or an organ

Question 14

whats tenting?

Answer 14

skin stays pinched or moves back slowly; may indicate dehydration

Question 15

whats clubbing?

Answer 15

a condition in which angle between the nail and nail bed is 180 degrees or greater

Question 16

whats edema?

Answer 16

fluid that accumulates in the intercellular spaces that is not normally present (swelling)

Question 17

whats petechiae?

Answer 17

commonly appear in clusters and may look like a rash. Usually flat to touch and don’t lose colour when you touch on them (usually red, brown purple)

Question 18

what is different for an infant regarding skin compared to an older adult?

Answer 18

infants skin is much more thin, smooth and elastic (more permeable than an adult) but this means infant is at greater risk for fluid loss

Question 19

what are the developmental changes for pregnant women with skin?

Answer 19

• change in hormone levels results in increased pigmentation in areolae and nipples, vulva, and sometimes in midline of abdomen or face.
• metabolism is increased
• peripheral vasculature dilates to dissipate heat

Question 20

what are the developmental changes for older adults with skin?

Answer 20

• loses elasticity, folds and sags
• around ages 70+, looks thin, dry and wrinkled
• elastin, collagen and subcutaneous fat are lost as well as muscle tone