Quiz 3 - Part 2 Flashcards
Structure of skin
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous
Function of the skin
- prevents penetration
- sensory perception
- temperature regulation
- wound repair
- absorption and excretion
Skin - Developmental Considerations of Infants
Lanugo - fine hair of newborn
Vernix caseosa - thick, cheesy substance
Sebum - holding water in the skin producing milia
Skin - Developmental Considerations of Children
- Epidermis thickens, darkens, becomes lubricated
- hair growth accelerates
Skin - Developmental Considerations of Adolescents
- secretions from apocrine sweat glands increase
- subcutaneous fat deposits increase
- secondary sex characteristics
Skin - Developmental Considerations of Aging Adults
Elasticity
- degeneration elastic fibres & collagen stiffening
- loss skin elasticity
- sagging skin
Sweat and sebaceous glands
- decrease extracellular water and surface lipids - dry skin
Senile purpura
- increased risk of bruising
Skin breakdown
- cell replacement slower (healing is delayed)
- decreased subcutaneous fat
Hair matrix
- functioning melanocytes decrease (grey fine hair)
Skin - collection of subjective data
- past history of skin disease
- change in pigmentation
- change in mole (size, colour)
- excessive bruising
- lesions, wounds
- hair loss
- falls
Skin - Collection of objective data
Inspection & Palpation
- moisture
- texture
- thickness
- oedema
- mobility and turgor
- vascularity or bruising
ABCDEF skin assessment
A - asymmetry
B - border irregularity
C - colour variations
D - diameter greater than 6mm
E - elevation or evolution
F - funny looking
Primary skin lesions
Macule
-flat area with change in skin colour
- freckles, vitiligo
Papule
- elevated solid lesion
- wart, basal cell carcinoma
Vesicle
- superficial collection of serous fluid
- varicella, second degree burn
Pustule
- elevated superficial lesion filled with purulent fluid
- acne, impetigo
Secondary skin lesions
Fissure
- liner crack or break from the epidermis to the dermis (dry or moist)
- athletes foot, cracks at corner of mouth
Scale
- excess, dead epidermal cells produced by abnormal keratinisation and shedding
- flaking skin after medication reaction or sunburn
Scar
- abnormal formation of connective tissue that replaces normal skin
- surgical incision, healed wound
Ulcer
- loss of epidermis, into dermis. crater-like irregular shape
- pressure ulcer
Atrophy
- depression in skin resulting from thinning of the epidermis or dermis
- aged skin
Excoriation
- area in which epidermis is missing, exposing dermis
- abrasion, scratch
What are considered abnormal skin findings?
Psoriasis
Eczema
Alopecia
Nail Clubbing
Characteristics and symptoms of Psoriasis
Characteristics
- Autoimmune condition
- build up of skin cells
- White-silver scaling on skin in thick red patches
- develop on hands, scalp, neck, feet
Symptoms
- redness, inflammation and itchy thick red patches of skin
- can bleed due to cracking
Characteristics and symptoms of Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Characteristics
- Inherited, inflammatory skin condition
- this skin is more vulnerable to infections such as impetigo, cold sores, warts
- dry skin with red scaly areas on front of elbows and back of knees
Symptoms
- dryness, redness, itchiness
- weeping from affected areas
- lesions to affected skin
Characteristics and symptoms of Alopecia
Characteristics
- hair loss to a single/multiple areas on scalp/body
TYPES
1. androgenetic alopecia - pattern hair loss
2. alopecia areata - autoimmune condition
3. telogen effluvium - shock to body temporarily stops hair growth (stress, child birth)
Symptoms
- Gradual circular patches of hair loss
- itchy burning feeling
