Sensory/Integumentary System (Exam Two) Flashcards
What does the integumentary system consist of?
- Hair
- Nails
- Skin
The skin is considered what?
An organ
The skin is a barrier against what?
- Germs
- Pathogens
- Chemicals
What are the two layers of the skin?
- Epidermis
- Dermis
Which is the outermost layer of skin?
Epidermis
What is the hypodermis composed of? What does it do?
- Made up of loose connective tissue and adipose tissue
- Insulates and acts as an energy reservoir
What is the dermis composed of?
- Collagen fibers
- Elastin fibers
What is the function of nose hair?
Filter from harmful substances
What is the function of hair on the scalp?
Insulation
What is the function of the eyelashes?
Protect the eye from dust and sweat
Any break or laceration of the skin puts the patient at an increased risk for what?
- Infection
- Dehydration
Describe the function of the five layers of the epidermis.
- Newest skin at the bottom layer
- Older skin at the top layer
- New layers are constantly replacing the old layers
- Old layers will slough off
What is the skins function in relation to water?
- Keeps large amounts of water from exiting the body
- Keeps large amounts of water from entering the body
What gives the skin and the hair its color?
Melanocytes
What are three primary functions of the epithelium (skin)?
- Prevents too much water from entering/exiting the body
- Intact skin protects against infection
- Contains sensory receptors
What role do blood vessels play in relation to the skin?
- Provide tissue nourishment
- Regulate temperature
List the two types of sweat glands.
- Apocrine
- Eccrine
Where are apocrine glands located?
- Axillary (armpit)
- Groin
Where are eccrine glands located?
Rest of the body (where apocrine glands are not)
How much water is lost through the eccrine glands per day? What type of loss is this?
- 500mL
- Insensible loss
What are sebaceous glands responsible for? What type of substance is sebaceous glands?
- Prevents the hair and skin from drying out
- Oily
Why does hair become gray and thin in the older adult population?
- Melanocytes die off
- Inactive hair follicles
The skin of older adults is more prone to what?
- Skin breakdown
- Poor wound healing
Slowed skin turgor is an indication of what?
Dehydration
Where should skin turgor be assessed on an older adult?
- Clavicle
- Shoulder
- Sternum
What is pallor? Where is pallor assessed?
- Pale skin
- Mucus membranes, lips, nail beds
What is erythema?
Redness of the skin
What is jaundice? Where is jaundice assessed?
- Yellow or orange discoloration of skin
- Oral mucosa, sclerae
What is cyanosis? Where is cyanosis assessed?
- Bluish discoloration of the skin
- Nail beds, palms, soles of feet
Brown discoloration of the skin may result from what? Where is this most common?
- Chronic peripheral vascular disease
- Lower legs
Skin inspection varies based on what?
Ethnicity or skin color
What ethnicity already has a bluish tint to the lips?
Mediterranean descent
What is a primary lesion?
Initial reaction to the disease process
What is a secondary lesion?
Changes that take place in primary lesion itself
Describe the characteristics of vesicles?
- Up to 1cm in diameter
- Blister-like appearance
- Contain serous fluid
List examples of vesicles?
- Poison ivy
- Shingles
- Chicken pox
Describe the characteristics of papules?
- 1cm in diameter
- Solid, raised
List examples of papules?
- Mole
- Wart
Describe the characteristics of a wheal?
- Insect bite appearance
- Round, elevated
- White in center
- Redness on outer edges
What are examples of a wheal?
- Hive
- Mosquito bite
What is lichenification? What type of patients might suffer from lichenification?
- Thickening and hardening of the skin
- Wheelchair bound patients
List the two vascular markings.
- Petechiae
- Ecchymosis
What is petechiae? Where is petechiae best assessed in a patient with darker skin?
- Reddish purple hemorrhagic spots
- Oral mucosa
What is ecchymosis?
Bruising
Bruises in different stages of healing may indicate what?
Abuse
Which portion of the hand is used to assess skin temperature?
Posterior surface
Describe 4+ pitting edema.
- Severe
- 8mm depression
- Can last more than 2 minutes
What does 0 indicate on the pitting edema scale?
No edema present
What is alopecia?
Hair loss
Excessive facial hair in females is associated with what disease?
PCOS
Hair thinning is associated with what disease?
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s
What nail abnormality is associated with hypoxia?
Clubbing
What nail abnormality is associated with anemia?
Spoon nails
What nail abnormality is associated with fungal infections?
Thick nails
What is Beau’s lines?
Transverse depressions of the nails
What are the three different types of skin biopsies?
- Punch
- Shave
- Excisional
What is Wood’s lamp? What skin disease does it assess for?
- UV rays to detect fluorescent materials in skin/hair
- Assess’s for ringworm
Positive scratch test is indicated by what?
Wheal
The nurse should ensure which materials are in the room during a scratch test?
Crash cart
What is balneotherapy?
Therapeutic bath
Powders should be avoided in patients who have what type of problem?
Respiratory problems
What can a topical steroid medication cause?
Thinning of the skin
Why are newborns more prone to skin infections within the first week of life?
Due to more alkaline or basic skin integrity
Who is at a higher risk for skin cancer?
Caucasians
What are pressure ulcers?
Tissue anoxia due to pressure against the skin
What can cause pressure ulcers?
- Pressure
- Friction
- Shear
The nurse should never massage _____ _____.
Reddened areas
List prevention methods for pressure ulcers?
- Clean
- Dry
- Clean incontinence areas promptly
- Turn/reposition every two hours
- Provide adequate nutrition/hydration