Unit exam 2 Flashcards
What is the largest organ of the body?
the skin
What are the two layers of the skin?
- Epidermis: outer highly differentiatd layer
- basal cell layer forms new skin cells
- outer horny cell layer of dead keratinized
cells
- Dermis: inner supportive layer
- connective tissue or collagen
- elastic tissue
** beneath these layers is a subcutaneous layer of adipose tissue
What are some functions of the skin?
- it is waterproof, protective, and adaptive
- protection from environment
- perception
- temp regulation
- identification
- communication
- wound repair
- absorption and excretion
- production of vitamin D
What is ichthyosis Vulgaris?
- is an inherited skin disorder in which dead skin cells accumulate in thick, dry scales on your skin’s surface.
- tough skin
What are subjective data health history questions?
- past history of skin disease, allergies, hives, psoriasis, or eczema?
- change in pigmentation?
- excessive dryness or moisture?
- pruritus or skin itching?
- excessive bruising?
- rash or lesions?
- medications?
- hair loss?
- change in nails?
- self-care bxs?
- environmental or occupational hazards?
What are health history questions for adolescents?
skin problems such as pimples or blackheads?
What are health history questions for aging adults?
- what changes have you noticed in your skin in past few years?
- any delay in wound healing?
- any change in feet?
- falling?
- history of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease?
What is the complete physical exam?
- skin assessment integrated throughout exam
- separate areas with skinfold such as under large breasts, obese abdomen, and groin, and inspect them thoroughly
- always inspect feet, toenails, and between toes
How can you inspect and palpate the skin?
- Color
- General pigmentation, freckles, moles, birthmarks
- Widespread color change
- —Note color change over entire body skin, such as pallor (pale), erythema (red), cyanosis (blue), or jaundice (yellow)
- —Note if color change transient or due to pathology
- Temperature
- Use backs of hands to palpate person…why?
- Skin should be warm, and temperature equal bilaterally; warmth suggests normal circulatory status
- Hands and feet may be slightly cooler in a cool environment
- –Hypothermia
- –Hyperthermia
- Moisture
- Diaphoresis
- Dehydration
- Texture
- Thickness
- Edema
- Mobility and turgor
- Vascularity or bruising
- —Multiple bruises at different stages of healing and excessive bruises above knees or elbows should raise concern about physical abuse
- —Needle marks or tracks from intravenous injection of street drugs may be visible on antecubital fossae, forearms, or on any available vein
- Lesions: if any are present, note the following:
- Color
- Elevation
- Pattern or shape
- Size
- Location and distribution on body
- Any exudate: note color and odor
What are some color changes of the skin?
- Raynauds - a problem that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers; causes blue or white fingers
- Jaundice - yellow skin
- Cyanosis - a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
What are the stages of bruising?
bruise –> hemoglobin –> bilierdin –> biliruben –> healing
What is the bruise age by color?
Red - 0-2 days Blue, purple - 2-5 days green - 5-7 days yellow - 7-10 days brown - 10-14 days no further evidences of bruising 2-4 weeks
Types of wound exude: serous
clear, amber, thin, and watery
Types of wound exude: fibrinous
cloudy and thin, with strand of fibrin
Types of wound exude: serosanguineous
reddish, thin and watery
Types of wound exude: seropurulent
yellow or tan, cloudy and thick
Types of wound exude: purulent
opaque, milky; sometimes green
Types of wound exude: hemopurulent
reddish, milky and viscous
Types of wound exude: hemorrhagic
red and thick
What is ABCDE of skin assessment?
A: asymmetry B: border C: color D: diameter E: elevation and enlargement
What are some different shapes and configurations of lesions?
- Circular
- Confluent: joining or running together
- Discrete: made up of separated parts or characterized by lesions which do not become blended. In the same area but are not touching
- Grouped
- Linear
- Zosteriform: resembling herpes zoster
What is a macule?
- flat, distinct discolored areas less than 1 cm
What is a papule?
- Elevated, circumscribed and firm
- lesions, <1 cm in diameter
- Warts and drug related eruptions are papules
- Various colors including brown, red, pink, tan and bluish red
What is a nodule?
- <1 cm in diameter
- Similar to papules, but deeper
in dermis and feel firmer on
palpation - Fibromas and intradermal
nevi
What is a wheal?
- Vary in size and shape
- Elevated, irregular, and relatively
transient - Mosquito bite causes wheal
- Hives are multiple wheals that usually cause severe itching from some sort of hypersensitive reaction.
***TB test elevation bubble
What is a vesicle?
- Circumscribed; <1 cm in diameter
- Elevated and filled with serous fluid.
- Blisters and varicella lesions are examples
What is a bullae?
- vesicles >1 cm
– Rupture easily because of their
thin walls
– Large blisters from 2nd degree
burns may be classified as bullae