Skin, Hair, and Nails

Question 1

Answer 1

Normal Nails

Question 2

Characteristics to look for on nails

Answer 2

1. Shape
2. Consistency
3. Color

Question 3

1. Shape and Countour
   of nails

Answer 3

normal nail shape and contour:

• slighty curved or flat (160 degrees)
• AP nail folds are smooth and rounded
• nail edges–smooth, rounded, and clean

Question 4

1. Shape and Contour of nails

abnormal findings

Answer 4

Shape and Contour of nails [abnormal]:

1. Jagged nails, bitten to the quick or traumatied nail folds ⇒ suggest picking habits
2. Chronically dirty nails ⇒ poor self-care or some occupations in which is impossible to keep them clean
3. Clubbing of nails ⇒ pulmonary diseases and congenital cyanotic heart disease and neoplastic

        **Early Clubbing:**

• (180^o) nail straightens out and
• nail base feels spongy to palpation
• nail convex (having an outline or surface curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere)

Question 5

Answer 5

Clubbing Nails

Clubbing of nails ⇒ pulmonary diseases and congenital cyanotic heart disease and neoplastic

Early Clubbing:

(180^o) nail straightens out and
nail base feels spongy to palpation

Late Clubbing:
nail convex (having an outline or surface curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere)

Question 6

2. Consistency of Nails

Answer 6

Consistency of Nails:

1. smooth and regular
2. not brittle or splitting
3. uniform nail thicknesss
4. nail firmly adheres to nail bed
5. nail bed firm to palpation

Question 7

2. Consistency of Nails

[abnormailities]

Answer 7

Consistency of nails [abnormalities]:

1. Pits, transvere grooves, or lines → may indicate nutrient deficiency or may accompany acute illness that disturbs nail growth
2. Thickened and ridged → arterial insufficieny
3. Spongy nail base accompanies clubbing