Promoting Healthy Skin and Feet Flashcards
Define integument
the natural covering of an organism or organ– the skin
What are the physiological functions of the skin?
-regulates body temperature
-serves as a vehicle for sensation
-stores fat
-is a component of the metabolism of salt and water
-is a site for two-way gas exchange
-is the site for the production of vitamin D, when exposed to sunlight
Define xerosis
extremely dry, cracked, and itchy skin– the most common skin problem experienced by older people
Define pruritis
itchy skin (symptom not a diagnosis)
Define Herpes Zoster
other wise known as Shingles
a viral infection frequently seen in older persons– immunosuppressed older people and those with a history of chicken pox are at greatest risk
What are the symptoms of shingles?
chills, fever, GI disturbance, malaise, and pain or paresthesia then a painful, burning rash
infectious until the lesions become crusty
Define keratoses
a thick, scaly, or crusty patch of skin that is associated with frequent exposure to the sun
There are two types: seborrheic and actinic
How are seborrheic and actinic keratosis different?
Seborrheic– a benign growth that appears mainly on the trunk, face, neck and scalp as single of multiple lesions
Actinic– a precancerous lesion that may become a squamous cell carcinoma found on the face, lips, hands and forearms
What is the ABCDE acronym used for?
melanoma diagnosis
asymmetry, border irregularity, colour, diameter, evolution
What is the difference between vascular insufficiency and venous insufficiency?
vascular is in the arteries and venous is in the veins
Define candidiasis
a fungus (called yeast) that presents on the skin of any healthy person
Who is most at risk for a pressure injury?
those who are frail, non-ambulatory, and/or neurologically impaired
What are corns and calluses?
growth of compacted skin that occurs as a result of prolonged pressure, usually from ill-fitting, tight shoes
corns are cone shaped and develop on the top of toe joints and calluses are thickened and hard parts of the skin
Describe bunions
bony deformities that develop from the longstanding squeezing together of the first and second toes
can be treated with corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatory pain medication or surgery if necessary
Describe hammer toes
a toe that is permanently flexed, giving it a claw-like appearance, the condition is a result of muscle imbalance and pressure from the great toe slanting toward the second toe and the toe then contract, leaving a bulge on top of the joint
Describe fungal infections
characterized by degeneration of the nail plate, change in the colour of the nail (yellow or an opaque brown), and brittleness and thickening of the nail. A fine, powdery collection of fungus forms under the center of the nail to dig into the skin like an ingrown toenail.
very common on the aging foot and the incidence increases with age
What does onychomycosis mean?
nail fungus
What are the essential aspects of a foot assessment?
observation of mobility, past medical history and bilateral assessment comparing feet
When should nails be trimmed?
after the bath or shower when they are soft, but if that isn’t possible the soaking the feet for 20-30 min before care is sufficient– nails should also be cut straight across, even with the top of the toe, with the edges filed slightly to remove sharpness
What does hard, thickened nails indicate?
inadequate nutrition to the nail matric because of trauma or poor circulation– once the nail becomes thick it will remain so
thick, hard nails split easily, causing trauma, pain and possibly infection
What is an ingrown toenail?
a fragment of nail that pierces the skin at the edge of the nail– often a consequence of the hypertrophy of the nail with onychomycosis, improper cutting of the nail, or pressure exerted on the toes by tight hosiery or shoes
