Skin exam Flashcards
What are the 5 things to look for when palpated the skin?
Moisture
Minimal perspiration or oiliness should be present.
Temperature
Use the dorsal surface of your hands or fingers.
Texture
Smooth, soft, and even
Turgor
Altered if the patient is substantially dehydrated or if edema is present
Mobility
Move easily when pinched, and return to place immediately when released
What are the 4 thing to look for when inspecting and palpating the hair?
Color
Texture
Distribution
Lesions
What are the 4 things to look for when inspecting and palpating the nails?
Shape and Contour
Consistency
Color
Capillary Refill
What are some abnormal findings of the skin color?
Pallor - paleness Vitiligo - patches Depigmentation - loss of color Hyperpigmentation - darker color Acrocyanosis - blueness of the hands or feet in infants Cyanosis - blue Erythema - red Jaundice - yellow
What are the two types of skin lesions?
Primary―those that occur as initial spontaneous manifestations of a pathologic process
Secondary―those that result from later evolution of or external trauma to a primary lesion
What are the characteristics of skin lesions?
Size (measure all dimensions) Shape Color Texture Elevation or depression Attachment at base - Pedunculated―having a stalk - Sessile―without a stalk Exudates -Color -Odor -Amount -Consistency -Configuration Annular (rings) Grouped Linear Arciform (bow-shaped Location and distribution -Generalized or localized -Region of the body -Patterns -Discrete or confluent
Describe a macule.
flat circumscribed area that is a change in the color of the skin; less than 1 cm in diameter.
examples - freckles, flat moles, measles, petechiae
Describe a papule.
an elevated, firm, circumscribed area; less than 1 cm in diameter
example - wart (verruca), elevated, moles, lichen planus
Describe a patch.
a flat, nonpalpable, irregularly shaped macule greater than 1 cm in diameter.
example - vitiligo, port-wine stains, mongolian spots
Describe a plaque.
Elevated, firm, and rough lesion with flat top surface greater than 1 cm in diameter.
example - psoriasis, seborrheic, and actinic keratoses
Describe a wheal.
Elevated, irregular shaped are of cutaneous edema; solid, transient, variable diameter
example - insect bites, allergic reactions
Describe a nodule
elevated, firm, circumscribed lesion; deeper in dermis than a papule; 1-2 cm in diameter
example - lipoma, erythema nodosum
Describe a tumor
elevated and solid lesion, may or may not be clearly demarcated; deeper is dermis; greater than 2 cm in diameter
Describe a vesicle
elevated, circumscribed, superficial, not into dermis; filled with serous fluid; less than 1 cm in diameter.
ex. - varicella, herpes zoster
Describe a bulla.
vesicle greater than 1 cm in diameter
ex. - blister, pemphigus, vulgaris
Describe a pustule.
elevated, superficial lesion; similar to a vesicle but filled with purulent fluid
ex. - impetigo, acne
Describe a cyst.
elevated, circumscribed, encapsulated lesion; in dermis or subcutaneous layer; filled with liquid or semisolid material.
ex. - sebaceous cyst, cystic acne
Describe a telangiectasia.
fine, irregular, red lines produced by capillary dilation.
ex. - telangiectasia in rosacea
Secondary skin lesions
A
Describe a scale.
heaped- up, keratinized cells; flaky skin; irregular; thick or thin; dry or oily; variation in size.
ex. - flaking of skin with seborrheic dermatitis or following a drug reaction
Describe a lichenification.
rough thickened epidermis secondary to persistent rubbing, itching, or skin irritation,; often involves flexor surface of extremity.
ex. - chronic dermatitis.
Describe a keloid
irregularly shaped, elevated progressively enlarging scar; grows beyond the boundaries of the wound; caused by excessive collagen formation during healing.
ex. - keloid
Describe a scar.
thin to thick fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin following injury or laceration to the dermis.
ex. - healed wounds
Describe a excoriation.
Loss of the epidermis; linear hollowed-out, crusted area
ex. - abrasion or scratch, scabies
Describe a fissure
linear crack or break from the epidermis to the dermis; may be moist or dry
ex. - athletes foot
Describe an erosion.
loss of part of the epidermis; depressed, moist, glistening; follows rupture of a vesicle or bulla.
ex. - varicella, variola after rupture
Describe an ulcer
loss of epidermis and dermis; concave; varies in size
ex. - decubiti, stasis ulcers
Describe a crust
dried serum, blood, or purulent exudates; slightly elevated; size varies; brown, red, black, tan, or straw-colored
ex. - scab on abrasion, eczema
Describe a atrophy
thinning of the skin surface and loss of skin markings; skin translucent and paper-like
ex. - striae, aged skin
Pregnant women must be inspected for…
Striae gravidarum (stretch marks) Telangiectasias/hemangiomas Cutaneous tags Increased pigmentation Palmar erythema Itching Altered hair growth
What is trichotillomania?
hair pulling
