Skin disorders and conditions: Flashcards
1
Q
Skin conditions:
A
- inflammatory and infectious conditions which may be related to exacerbation of chronic conditions in response to medications
- skin conditions secondary to other conditions (e.g. obesity)
- pressure injuries
- complex wounds
- burns
2
Q
Universal care of a pt with a skin disorde4r:
A
- Relieve pruritus (itching):
- room temperature should be moderate and comfortable
- encourage wearing of loose, cool light clothing
- tepid bath or shower with anti-pruritic such as coal tar or oatmeal preparations as ordered & tolerated
- Apply topical creams:
- don gloves and apply accurate of medicated or non-medicated to affected are as ordered
- apply dressing to cover as required to enhance of topical treatment or to protect surrounding skin or clothing
- Maintain hydration and nutrition:
- fluid and electrolyte balance may be disruted because of loss of fluid in exudate from skin lesions
- ensure adequate fluid replacement is provided
- Prevent infection:
- Maintain skin integrity by drying affected skin gently
- implement isolation precautions as required
- perform all dressing using aseptic techniques
3
Q
Infections and infestations:
A
- factors that increase vulnerability to a skin infection include ill health, poor hygiene, break in the continuity of the skin
- bacterial skin infections include carbuncles, erysipelas, folliculitis, furuncles (boils), impetigo
- viral infections include herpes zoster
- fungal infections include candidiasis
- infestations include scabies
4
Q
Furuncle (boil):
A
- is a bacterial infection caused by either staphylococci or streptococci
- starts as a painful, hard, deep follicular abscess, and the overlying skin is hot to touch.
- the area becomes soft and opens to discharge a core of tissue and pus
5
Q
Carbuncles:
A
- is a bacterial infection that is a cluster of staphylococcal abscesses or boils containing purulent matter
- eventually pus discharge to the skin surfaces through numerous openings
6
Q
Pilonidal sinus:
A
- is a bacterial infection that occurs when a hair tunnels inwards, causing an infected tunnel in the natal cleft (butt crack)
- causes pain and infective symptoms and often requires a surgical incision with drainage
- packing of wound post drainage may be required
- exacerbation by friction, warmth and moisture is more common in young males
7
Q
MRSA:
A
- a bacterial infection that generally starts as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites
- can quickly turn into deep painful abscesses that require surgical draining
- may remain confined to the skin but they can spread into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in the bones, joints hear valves and lungs
- can be fatal
8
Q
Impetigo:
A
- (bacterial infection) an acute contagious disorder of the superficial layers of the skin
- caused by staphylococci or streptococci
- begins as local erythema and progresses to pruritic vesicles which ooze
- exudate from the lesion forming a yellow-coloured crust
- lesions usually form on the face and spread locally
9
Q
Nursing management for bacterial infections:
A
- warm compresses for abscess type manifestations
- care of wounds following incision and drainage
- administration of systemic antibiotics as ordered
- management of exudate to ensure infection control
- patient education concerning infection control
10
Q
Scabies (infestations):
A
- caused by mites
- characterised by a papular rash, intense pruritus and excoriation of the skin from scratching
- sites more commonly affected are the thin-skinned areas between the fingers, flexor surfaces of the wrists and the inner aspect of thighs
- treated with a topical scabicide clothing and bedding must be washed and treated per guidelines
10
Q
Cutaneous candidiasis (fungal infections):
A
- candidiasis is any infection caused by a species of candida, usually candida albicans
- characterised by pruritis, a white exudate, peeling and easy bleeding
- oral or vaginal thrush are common topical manifestations of candidiasis, as are red eroded patches in the genito-anal region
10
Q
Herpes zoster:
A
- acute infection
- very painful vesicular skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of cranial or spinal nerves inflamed by the virus
- vesicles develop crusts after 1 week
- condition may last several weeks but the pain may persist for much longer
- ocular complications may occur
10
Q
Nursing care for fungal infections:
A
- ensure skin is clean and dry
- pay particular attention to skin folds
- don gloves and apply antifungal medication as ordered
10
Q
Nursing management for herpes zoster:
A
- cold compress, anti-pruritic and diversional activities
- rest and adequate nutrition
- pain management
11
Q
Stevens-Johnson syndrome:
A
- reaction to medications including and not limited to: anticonvulsants - carbamazepine and phenytoin, the antimalarial sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
- medication is to be discontinued
- provide supportive care
- provide wound care
