skin disorder Flashcards
what makes up the integumentary system (3)
- skin
- hair
- nails
skin
plays a major role in protection by acting like the first line of defense, as well as helps regulate body temperature and maintains fluid and electrolyte balance
hair
differs in type and function in various body areas
nails
useful for grasping and scraping and have cosmetic value
eccrine sweat glands
allow dissipation of heat through evaporation of sweat secreted onto the skin surface
changes in epidermis r/t aging (9)
1) decreased epidermal thickness -> skin transparency and fragility
2) decreased cell division -> delayed wound healing
3) decreased epidermal mitotic homeostasis -> skin hyperplasia, skin cancers (sun exposed areas)
4) increased epidermal permeability -> increased risk for irritation
5) decreased immune system cells -> decreased skin inflammatory response
6) decreased melanocyte activity -> increased risk for sunburn
7) hyperplasia of melanocyte activity -> changes in pigmentation
8) decreased vit. D production -> increased risk for osteomalacia
9) flattening of dermal/epidermal junction -> increased risk for shearing forces, resulting in blisters, purpura, skin tears and pressure related problems
nursing interventions for epidermis (9)
1) handle patients carefully to reduce skin friction and shear, assess for excessive dryness or moisture, avoid taping the skin
2) avoid skin trauma, protect open areas
3) assess non-sun exposed areas for baseline skin features, assess exposed skin areas for sun induced changes
4) teach pt. how to avoid exposure to skin irritants
5) do NOT rely on degree of redness and swelling to correlate w/ severity of skin injury or localized infection
6) teach patients to wear heats, sunscreen, and protective clothing, teach pt. to avoid sun exposure from 10am-4pm
7) teach pt. to keep track of pigmented lesions, teach them what changes should be evaluated for malignancy
8) urge pt. to take a multiple vitamin or calcium supplement from vit. D
9) avoid pulling or dragging pt., assist pt. confined to bed or chairs to change least Q2H, avoid or use care when removing adhesive wound dressings
changes in the dermis r/t aging (6)
1) decreased dermal BF -> increase susceptibility to dry skin
2) decreased vasomotor responsiveness -> increased risk for heat stroke and hypothermia
3) decreased dermal thickness -> paper thin, transparent skin w/ increased susceptibility to trauma
4) degeneration of elastic fibers -> decreased tone and elasticity
5) benign proliferation of capillaries -> cherry hemangiomas
6) reduced number and function of nerve endings -> reduced sensory perception
nursing interventions for dermis (6)
1) teach pt. to apply moisturizers when the skin is still moist and to avoid agents that produce dryness
2) teach pt. to dress for the environmental temperatures
3) handle patients gently, and avoid the use of tape or tight dressings, use lift sheets when positioning patients
4) check skin turgor on the forehead/chest
5) teach pt. that these are benign (cherry hemangiomas)
6) tell pt. to use bath thermometer and lower water heart temp. to prevent scalds
changes in subQ layer r/t aging (what, nursing intervention (2))
1) thinning subcutaneous layer -> increased risk of hypothermia and increased risk for pressure injury
- NI: teach pt. to dress warmly in cold weather, assist patients to confined to bed or chairs to change positions at least every 2 hours
skin inspection (5)
observe and document feaures
- obvious changes in color and vascularity
- presence or absence of moisture
- edema
- skin lesions
- skin integrity (intact, wounds?)
skin assessment techniques for patients w/ darker skin (5)
- pallor: can be detected in people w/ dark skin by first inspecting the mucous membranes for an ash-gray color
- cyanosis: can be detected in the lips and tongue appearing gray and the palms, soles, conjunctivae, and nail beds have a bluish tinge
- inflammation: dark skinned patients appears as excessive warmth and changes in skin consistency or texture (palpation)
- jaundice: best assessed bu inspecting the oral mucosa, esp. hard palate, for yellow discoloration
- ecchymosis: appear darker than normal skin, they may be tender and easily palpable
lesions in skin types (2)
1) primary lesions: initial reaction to a problem that alters skin components
2) secondary lesions: changes in the appearance of the primary lesion; these changes occur with progression of an underlying disease or in response to a topical or systemic therapeutic intervention
annular
circular
circumscribed
well defined w/ sharp borders
clustered
several lesions grouped together
coalesced
lesions that merge w/ one another and appear confluent
diffuse
widespread, involving most of the body w/ intervening areas of normal skin
- generalized
linear
occurring in a straight line
serpiginous
with wavy borders, resembling a snake
universal
all areas of the body invovled, with no areas of normal appearing skin
skin palpation (what, 4)
use palpation to gather additional information about skin lesions, moisture, temperature, texture, and turgor
- palpation: confirms lesion size and whether they are flat or slightly raised
- consistency of larger lesions: can vary from soft and pliable to firm and solid
- subtle changes: diff. between fine macular rash and a papular rash are best determined by palpating with your eyes closed
- ask the patient whether skin palpation causes pain or tenderness
skin diagnostic lab/test (3)
lab:
- cultures
test:
- skin biopsy (fungal infections)
- wood’s light examination: lesions increased in whiteness
- diascopy: determine erythema d/t superficial vessel or hemorrhage
pressure ulcers (what, tissue compression, complications)
- loss of tissue integrity caused when the skin and underlying soft tissue are compressed between a bony prominence and an external surface for an extended period
- tissue compression: from pressure restricts BF to the skin, resulting in reduced tissue perfusion and oxygenation, and eventually lead to call death
- complications: sepsis, kid failure, infectious arthritis, osteomylestis
PU: assess for any contributing factors (8)
- prolonged BR
- immobility
- incontinence
- DM
- inadequate nutrition or hydration
- decreased sensory perception or cognitive problems
- peripheral vascular disease
- friction and sheering forces
Whole body inspection!
incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD) (3)
- skin damage associated with exposure to urine or stool
- type or irritant contact dermatitis
- once IAD occurs, there is a high risk for pressure ulcer development as well as increased risk of infection and morbidity
stage 1 PU (2, observe for (4))
1) skin is intact, red and DOES NOT BLANCH
2) for patients with darker skin that does no blanch
3) observe for changes compared w/ an adjacent or opposite area for:
- skin color darker or lighter than the comparison area
- skin temperature (warmth or coolness)
- tissue consistency (firm or boggy)
- sensation (pain, itching)
stage 2 PU (3)
1) partial thickness skin loss of the epidermis or dermis and skin is NOT INTACT
2) superficial, characterized as: abrasion, blister (open/fluid filled), shallow crater
3) bruising NOT PRESENT
stage 3 PU (3)
1) full thickness and damage extends down to but not through the underlying fascia: bone, tendon, and muscle NOT exposed
2) subcutaneous tissue may be damaged or necrotic
3) undermining and tunneling may or may NOT be present
stage 4 PU (3)
1) full thickness with exposed or palpable muscle, tendon, or bone
2) undermining, tunneling
3) slough and eschar present on at least part of the wound