Skin Assessment Flashcards
Key functions of skin (5)
protection
sensation
thermoregulation
excretion of sweat
vitamin D synthesis
what are the two layers of the skin
epidermis and dermis
the epidermis and the dermis are connected by the….
epidermal - dermal junction
AKA: basement membrane zone
The epidermis has _____ layers
5
T or F: the epidermis is vascular
F: it’s avascular
primary functions of epidermis
- protection from water loss
- maintain skin integrity from physical barriers
what layer is affected in blister formation
epidermal - dermal junction
*this layer flattens with age and increases risk of skin injury
dermis is divided into what two layers
papillary dermis
reticular dermis
primary function of the dermis
provide tensile strength, support, moisture retention, and blood/O2 to skin
protect muscle, bone, and organs
what attaches dermis to underlying structures and acts as a cushion between skin layers, muscles, and bones?
hypodermis
primary function of hypodermis
- promote blood supply to the dermis
- promote skin mobility and insulate body
- is a ready reserve of energy
this separates muscle from subcutaneous fat
fascia
T orF: muscle is the most sensitive to ischemia
T: b/c it has the greatest demand for O2
edema
swelling caused by fluid in your body’s tissue
Questions to ask yourself when it comes to edema (3)
is there edema?
what kind of edema?
what is the cause of it?
what are some changes that can happen with nails? (5)
thickening
fungus
discoloration
ingrown
overgrown
when looking at skin what should be evaluated? (7)
- pigmentation
- tissue mobility (should not be adhered)
- skin turgor
- texture (should be smooth)
- temperature
- hair patterns
- hidrosis
be sure to compare both sides
pruritus
- severe itching
- can be localized or generalized
- acute or chronic
urticaria (what is it, what causes it)
- hives
- itching with rash
- call be allergic reaction or immunological
xeroderma (what is it, what causes it)
- dry skin
- caused by frequent hand washing, Vit A or D deficiency, sunburn, meds, systemic illness
dermatitis (what is it, what causes it)
- inflammation of the skin w/ itching, redness, and skin lesions
- most common cause = contact dermatitis from common irritants (ex. household cleaners)
mathicillin-resistant stapylococcus - aureus (MRSA)
bacterial infection where skin presents with sores or boils
who is most at risk for MRSA
those that share close quarters or have more skin-to-skin contact (athletes, inmates, daycares)
impetigo
bacterial skin infection characterized by red sores on the face, especially around nose and mouth
** highly contagious
impetigo usually affect what population? treatment?
- infants and children
- usually clears on its own in 2-3 weeks but may have antibiotic
cellulitis usually occurs through what
a break in the skin
T or F: cellulitis should be treated with antibiotics
T: because if not, it can spread to the blood or lymph nodes
abscess
localized collection of pus that develops in response to infection
how is an abscess treated?
incision and drainage
most commonly, herpes simplex 1 occurs ______ the waist and HSV-2 occurs ____ the waist
above, below
symptoms of HSV usually develop _______ to ______ days after contact with the virus
2 to 20
shingles
pain, blistering skin rash due to the variclla-zoster virus (chicken pox)
shingles can occur at any age but you are more likely to develop them if… (3)
1 - you are older than 60
2 - had chicken pox before age 1
3 - immune system is weak
warts
- harmless growth caused by HPV
- most go away on their own
- easily spread by direct contact
what is ringworm caused by?
fungus
** highly contagious by skin to skin contact
athlete’s foot
microscopic fungus that lives on dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and outer skin layers
scabies
- parasitic mites burrow into the skin and cause intense itching that’s worse at night
- transmitted by skin to skin contact
lice
pediculosis, live on the body (head, body, or pubis)
psoriasis
- chronic, autoimmune disease
- associated with other health conditions like DM, CVD
most common type of psoriasis
plaque psoriasis
*appears as raised, red patches covered with a white buildup of dead skin
lupus
autoimmune disease
*skin symptoms in >90%
is lupus more common in men or women
women
scleroderma
chronic autoimmune disease that involves hardening and thickening of the skin
*can be localized (skin only) or systemic (internal organs)
is there a cure for scleroderma
no, but treatment can relieve symptoms
T or F: skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US
T
2 more common types of skin cancer
basal cell and squamous cell
skin ABCDE
A - asymmetry
B - border
C - color
D - diameter
E - evolution
is the skin broken with a contusion
no
eccymosis
a small hemorrhagic spot in the skin or mucous membrane
petechiae
pinpoint purple or red spots from minute hemorrhages under the skin
what is a common cause of petechiae
low platelet count
abrasion
wearing away of the upper layer of skin as a result of friction
laceration
tearing of skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by blunt impacts
