Study Guide Exam #1

Question 1

Define ecchymosis

Answer 1

Bruising. Discoloration of skin from from bleeding underneath.

Question 2

Explain the method for checking skin turgor

Answer 2

Check in the sternum. Pinch the skin and let it go. Watch to see how fast the skin goes back to normal.

Question 3

List the functions of subcutaneous tissue

Answer 3

Loose connective tissue and fat. below dermis, above the muscle. Stores lipocytes (fat ells) for insulation and energy. Regulates temperature.

Question 4

Compare and contrast: vesicle, papule, macule, pustule, petechiae, purpura, bullae

Answer 4

Vesicle - fluid or air filled sac.

Papule - Small raised pimple. No pus.

Macule - flat, distinct, discolored area of skin less than 1 cm wide that does not involve any change in the thickness or texture of the skin.

Pastule - a small blister or pimple on the skin containing pus.

Petechiae - a small red or purple spot caused by bleeding into the skin.

Purpura - rash of purple spots on the skin caused by bleeding from internal blood vessels

Bullae - a bubblelike cavity filled with air or fluid.

Question 5

Compare and contrast the following heat loss terms: Give examples: Convection, Evaporation, Radiation, and Conduction

Answer 5

Convection - transfer of heat from skin to air. Fan

Evaporation - returning water to air through vapor. Sweating.

Radiation - giving off infrared heat rays to promote heat loss. Sun, fire.

Conduction - transfer of heat by direct contact. Cool cloth on forehead.

Question 6

Describe “liver spots” and their cause

Answer 6

Flat tan, brown, or black spots on the skin common with age. caused primarily by years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun.

Question 7

Be able to identify and explain the difference between the layers of skin

Answer 7

Epidermis - Top most layer of the skin

Dermis - Contains important structures of hair, glands, blood vessels, and nerves.

Hypodermis or Subcutaneous - It cushions, supports, nourishes, and insulates the skin and it anchors skin to underlying tissues and organs

Question 8

What are some actions, while caring for a client that could cause harm to the client’s skin?

Answer 8

Moving too rough, not moving the patient enough.

Question 9

Discuss the fx of melanin

Answer 9

Brown-black pigment produced by melanocytes. Fx is to provide skin with color.

Question 10

Explain how to collect a skin/wound specimen for culture and sensitivity test

Answer 10

With a cotton swab, placed directly in the middle for a fresh catch and place into a collection tube being careful to not touch the side of it.

Question 11

Describe ways to care for client who has acne. What would you teach the client?

Answer 11

Not to pop them. Let them talk about their feelings. Wash face, but don’t scrub. Pat dry. Mild soap or prescribed soap.

Question 12

What is cellulitis? How is it treated?

Answer 12

A serious bacterial skin infection. Without treatment with an antibiotic, cellulitis can be life-threatening. Erythema, tenderness, swelling, warm to touch. Common with diabetics.

Question 13

Discuss the four different stages of pressure ulcers.

Answer 13

Stage 1 - Intact skin that does not blanch

Stage 2 - Partial thickness, for example a blister, superficial

Stage 3 - Full thickness, shallow to deep

Stage 4 - Full thickness down to muscle and bone, deep

Question 14

What is tine corporis and tinea capitis?

Answer 14

Tinea corporis - ringworm. flat erythematous, pruritic, circular lesions with clear centers

Tinea capitis - Round, scaly, pustular, erythematous, on the scalp.

Question 15

List a nursing diagnosis for someone with the beginning stages of a pressure ulcer

Answer 15

Skin changes r/t aging

Question 16

What type of diet should be encouraged by a client with a pressure ulcer?

Answer 16

Healthy, lots of vitamins, keep skin hydrated and well circulated. High protein

Question 17

Discuss shingles. Include cause, type of lesions, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 17

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the herpes varicella virus. S/S unilateral vesicular rash, preceded by pain, pruritus.
TX acyclovir, analgesis, steroids, antipruritis lotions

Question 18

Discuss the fx of sebaceous glands

Answer 18

Oil glands. Sebum waterproofs and lubricates the skin and hair

Question 19

Discuss the teaching for the client prescribed clotrimazole (Lotrimin)

Answer 19

An anti fungal. For fungal infections. A cream that should be applied to the infected skin twice a day, for 1-2 weeks after the lesions are no longer present or what the provider prescribes.

Question 20

What is scabies?

Answer 20

A contagious, intensely itchy skin condition caused by a tiny, burrowing mite.

Question 21

Discuss herpes simplex virus. How would you describe the lesions associated with it?

Answer 21

unilateral vesicular rash

Question 22

Discuss the teaching for the client prescribed calcipotriene (Dovonex). How does it work in the body?

Answer 22

Dovonex is a synthetic Vitamin D that is a topical epidermopoiesis suppressive medication. Inhibits cell growth.

Question 23

Discuss impetigo. How long is it contagious?

Answer 23

A highly contagious skin infection that causes red sores on the face. Within days to weeks.

Question 24

What is seborrheic keratosis? What are the S/S?

Answer 24

A noncancerous skin condition that appears as a waxy brown, black, or tan growth.

S/S

• Ranges in color, usually from light tan to brown or black
• Is round or oval shaped
• Has a characteristic “pasted on” look
• Is flat or slightly elevated with a scaly surface
• Ranges in size from very small to more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across
• May itch

Question 25

Discuss shingles. Include cause, type of lesions, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 25

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the herpes varicella virus. S/S unilateral vesicular rash, preceded by pain, pruritus.
TX acyclovir, analgesis, steroids, antipruritis lotions

Question 26

Discuss the teaching involved for the client taking diphenhydramine HCI (Benadryl) for pruritis

Answer 26

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body.

Avoid alcohol. May cause drowsiness.

Question 27

What is atopic dermatitis? How is it treated?

Answer 27

Eczema. Warm soap, starch baths, moisturizing creams. An itchy inflammation of the skin. Treatment includes avoiding soap and other irritants. Certain creams or ointments also may provide relief from the itching.

Question 28

What is angioedema and what causes it? What other symptoms might you see in the client with this disorder?

Answer 28

Form of urticaria in subcutaneous tissue. Caused by vascular leakage beneath the dermis and subQ tissue.

S/S burning, pruritus, acute pain, SOB

Question 29

Explain the fx of the arterioles in the dermis

Answer 29

HOMEOSTASIS
• Protection against chemicals, UV radiation, microbes
• Prevents water loss, blood sugar, electrolytes, BP
• Temperature regulation
• Insulation, Shock absorber
• Sensations (touch, P, heat, pain)
• Vitamin and hormone synthesis
• Immunology

Question 30

Explain the fx of arterioles in the dermis

Answer 30

Capillaries where nutrients take place (exchange)

Question 31

Discuss the fx of melanin

Answer 31

Brown-black pigment produced by melanocytes. Fx is to provide skin with color and protects skin from UV radiation

Question 32

Discuss shingles. Include cause, type of lesions, symptoms, treatment.

Answer 32

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the herpes varicella virus. Dormant. S/S unilateral vesicular rash, preceded by pain, pruritus.
TX acyclovir, analgesis, steroids, antipruritis lotions