Skin - Pathological Conditions Affecting Skin

Question 1

How to prevent herpes?

Answer 1

vaccine

Question 2

How to treat herpes?

Answer 2

• stop spread
• antiviral meds
• pain management
• topical antibiotics

Question 3

Nursing care for herpes?

Answer 3

• during outbreak, educate about reducing infections and cross contamination
• recognize early symptoms

Question 4

What is keratosis?

Answer 4

Excessive skin growth of keratin (skin protein), on skin, variety of causes can lead to different types of

Question 5

Two types of keratosis? Where are they found?

Answer 5

Actinic keratosis - face, lips, hands, forearms

Seborrheic keratosis - trunk, face, neck, scalp

Question 6

What is skin cancer? What causes it?

Answer 6

Abnormal growth of skin cells

Age related changes & long term sun exposure

Question 7

What is basal cell carcinoma?

Answer 7

• Most common skin cancer
  Rarely metastasis (rarely grows from primary site)
• pearly papule with prominent blood vessels or as a scar like area with no history of trauma

Question 8

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 8

• second most common skin cancer
• aggressive, high incidence of metastasis (if not identified and treated properly)
• more prevalent in fair skinned men who live in sunny climates
• start as firm, irregular, fleshy, pink coloured nodule, becomes reddened, scaly, much like actinic keratosis

Question 9

What is melanoma?

Answer 9

• least common
• most lethal form (high mortality rate bc of rapid metastasis)
• ABCDE
• treatable prior to invasion of surrounding tissue
• caused by neoplasm (abnormal growth of melanocytes)

Question 10

What is benign?

Answer 10

Non cancerous tumours. Form of neoplasm

Question 11

How to assess skin for skin cancer? ABCDE

Answer 11

A - asymmetry (one side different from other)
B - border (irregular)
C - colour (blue/black, pigment not in uniform)
D - diameter (greater than 6 mm)
E - evolving (change in size, shape, colour, itching, bleeding, flat vs raised)

Question 12

Skin problems associated with cardiovascular problems?

Answer 12

Peripheral arterial disease - arterial insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency - venous insufficiency

Question 13

What causes venous insufficiency?

Answer 13

• Valve in veins not working
• high pressure in veins damage skin

Question 14

Signs and symptoms of venous insufficiency?

Answer 14

• pain/swelling of legs
• spider veins
• varicose veins
• pain relief with elevation
• skin discolouration

Question 15

What causes arterial insufficiency?

Answer 15

• diabetic
• atherosclerosis - inadequate amount of blood flow to leg or foot (ischemia)