WEEK 11 Flashcards
tissue integrity and gas exchange
what is the largest organ in the body
the skin
what percentage of body weight does the skin account for?
15%
what is the main function of the skin
is to provide a barrier against injury, infection, ultraviolet radiation (UV), and fluctuations in temperature changes.
what does the skin play an important role in
perception of touch, pain, pressure, and vibration
what are some other functions of the skin
elimination of waste, support of underlying structures, and synthesis of vitamin D.
what are the three layers of the skin
epidermis
dermis
subcutaneous layer of adipose tissue
adipose tissue
fatty tissue
epidermis
outermost layer of the skin
what kind of cells is the epidermis made of
squamous epithelial cells
provide a barrier against the external environment
what does the epidermis contain
keratinocytes
keratinocytes
Cells formed in the basal layer of the skin that function to protect the skin from the external environment.
The keratinocytes migrate from the basal layer of the skin to the more superficial layers. With time, these cells die and are removed from the skin through shedding.
what are some other cells found in the epidermis
melanocytes-produce melanin
Merkel cells-detect light touch, especially in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Langerhans cells-ingest and package foreign antigent to be presented to lymphocytes (trigger an immune repsonse in the epidermis)
what cells play a role in cutaneous immune system reactions in the epidermis
Langerhans cells
melanin
A pigment that determines the color of the hair and skin.
also absorbs radiant energy from the sun and protects the skin from harmful UV rays
dermis
The layer under the epidermis that is composed mainly of connective tissue and provides strength and flexibility of the skin.
what is the dermis composed of
connective tissues
capillaries
blood vessels
lymph vessels
subcutaneous tissue
composed mainly of adipose tissue is found under the epidermis and dermis
third layer of skin
insulates the body, absorbs shock, and pads the internal organs and structures. This layer also contains blood vessels and nerves that assist in thermoregulation and sensation.
A nurse is teaching a group of older adults at a community center about the functions of the skin. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
The skin plays an important role in the production of vitamin D.
the skin protects against bacteria and viruses
the skin helps regulate the body temperature
clients are at risk during what part of lifespan?
early and late in life
what is common during infancy and early childhood in regards to skin integrity?
maceration (an irritation of the epidermis caused by moisture) and dermatits (a red skin irritation that develops when the skin is exposed to irritants such as feces, urine, stoma effluent, and wound secretions) may occur
what is common in later life in relation to skin integrity?
as collagen stores decrease, the skin thins and loses elasticity, placing clients at greater risk for the development of skin tears (loss of top layer of the skin caused by mechanical forces) and tissue trauma. Skin exposed to the sun may exhibit premature wrinkling, accelerating the aging process
what are some conditions that predispose clients to alterations in tissue integrity?
impairments in mobility, such as congenital conditions like spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and chronic diseases, including liver failure, kidney disease, and cancer.
each of these conditions contribute to skin frailty (At-risk vulnerable skin)
the most frequently occurring skin problems associated with skin frailty
kin tears, pressure injuries (localized damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue, as a result of a pressure or pressure in combination with shear), and infections of the skin such as cellulitis (an infection of the superficial layers of skin).
how can nurses decrease risk of clients’ risk of developing skin breakdown?
Through their regular skin assessments, observation of environmental factors, and diligent implementation of prevention measures
major elements of a comprehensive skin assessment include what?
Gathering the medical history, looking at factors that place clients at risk, and assessing the skin for abrasions, edema, moisture, rashes, and other abnormalities
Skin texture and temperature should also be assessed.
pressure injury
Localized damage to the skin and/or the soft underlying tissue, which can be caused from prolonged contact with a firm surface that interferes with circulation to the area.
erythema
Redness of the skin due to dilation of blood vessels.
blanchable vs nonblanchable
An area of a reddened skin that temporarily turns white or pale when light pressure is applied. the skin then reddens when pressure is relieved.
Redness of the skin that does not go away when pressure is applied and indicates structural damage has occurred in the small vessels supplying blood to the underlying skin and tissues.
where should special attention to when assessing the skin?
obese clients
wound
A wound is a disruption in the normal composition and performance of the skin and it s underlying structures.
acute wounds
may originate either intentionally or unintentionally. Intentional wounds include those created during a surgical procedure, whereas unintentional wounds develop as the result of a traumatic injury, such as burns, punctures, or gunshot wounds. When caring for clients with acute wounds, the origin of the injury should be considered when developing the plan of care.
traumatic wounds
Lacerations are tears in the skin, which are usually caused by blunt or sharp objects. Due to the origin of these wounds, they often have an irregular or jagged shape. Lacerations are classified as simple or complicated.
surgical wounds
are acute wounds that are created intentionally during surgery. These wounds are classified as clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, or dirty, depending on the suspected contamination of the wound.
how does an incision develop
appears red on days 1-4
bright pink 5-14
pale pink days 15 to 1 year
exudate
Fluid secreted by the body during the inflammatory stage of healing and is made of plasma.
Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD)
a form of dermatitis that develops when the skin is exposed to irritants such as feces, urine, stoma effluent, and wound exudates.
Excessive sweating, increased local skin temperature, abnormal skin pH, and deep skin folds all predispose clients to MASD
what can wound exudate be?
serous: Thin, watery wound drainage.
serosanguineous: Thin, watery wound drainage mixed with blood.
sanguineous: Bloody wound drainage.
purulent: Green/yellow wound drainage with puss; shows infection
shearing
A force parallel to the surface of the skin.
Risk Factors Contributing to Pressure Injury Development
The most frequently seen risk factors are immobility, malnutrition (a condition in which there is a nutritional deficit), reduced perfusion, altered sensation, and decreased level of consciousness
friction
The force created when two objects rub together.
bony prominences
areas most susceptible to pressure injury formation
including the heels, toes, sacrum, hips, elbows, shoulders, and back of the head.
A nurse is providing education about pressure injury development to a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following points should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
Shear forces occur when the skin and muscles are pulled in opposite directions.
Pressure injuries most often develop over bony prominences.
Factors contributing to pressure injury development include immobility, malnutrition, reduced perfusion, and sensory loss.
hypoperfusion
Inadequate supply of blood circulation, which results in low oxygen levels in tissues.
what can chronic hypoperfusion lead to
leads to low oxygen levels in the tissues; this state, coupled with prolonged pressure, can result in tissue breakdown in less than 2 hours.
stages of pressure injuries
stage 1: non-blanchable erythema
stage 2: partial-thickness skin loss
stage 3: full-thickness skin loss
stage 4: full-thickness skin and tissue loss
unstagable pressure injury: Obscured Full-Thickness Skin and Tissue Loss
surigical debridement
The process of surgically removing dead tissue and other debris that can cause infection.
what do you use to irrigate wounds
0.9% sodium chloride
hematoma
accumlation of blood in the body
seroma
collection of serious fluid in the body
what are the two mian components of prevention of poor skin intergrity
identification of clients at risk and implementation of interventions that are designed to reduce risk.
define tissue integrity
ability of the human body to regenerate and maintain normal physiologic functioning.
what acts as defense mechanisms for the body
The skin, cornea, subcutaneous tissue, and mucous membranes act as defense mechanisms for the body.