Week 5: Integumentary, and Wound Assessment Flashcards
A person experiences a very painful paper cut to their finger. What layer(s) of skin is or are affected?
A. Epidermis only
B. Dermis only
C. Epidermis and dermis
D. Epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous
C. The break in skin had to go through the epidermis (avascular layer) to the dermis layer. The dermis give the individual the ability to feel the pain of a papercut.
Areas to assess for color changes in dark-skinned patients
Conjunctiva, palm of hand, and mucous membranes
ABCDE for mole assessment
A: Asymmetry-draw a line through the middle of the two sides. Do they match?
B: Border-smooth, even?
C: Color- one color?
D: Diameter- small?
E: Evolving- does it change over time?
ABCDE: Abnormal findings
Asymmetry: Asymmetrical
Border: Uneven border
Color: Variety of colors
Diameter: Larger diameter
Evolving: Evolves
ABCDE: Normal findings
Asymmetry: Symmetrical
Border: Smooth
Color: One color
Diameter: Smaller diameter
Evolving: Look the same over time
Primary skin lesions
Lesions that occur in reaction to the external or internal environment. They may be present at birth or develop during an individual’s lifetime
Secondary skin lesions
Progressive changes in primary lesions, trauma, or injury to the primary lesion.
Macule: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
A circular, small, flat, nonpalpable spot less than 1 cm in diameter. Macules are red, brown, or white in color, and the color is not the same as that of nearby skin. They present in different shapes. Example: freckle.
Patch: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
Irregular, flat, nonpalpable macule greater than 1 cm. Example: Mongolian spots.
Vesicle: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
Raised, circumscribed, round, or oval with serous blood or clear fluid measuring less than 1 cm in diameter. Example: herpes zoster.
Pustule: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
A raised, circumscribed vesicle usually < 1 cm in diameter, and filled with pus. Infection is the primary cause. Example: acne.
Telangiectasia: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
Small, dilated blood vessels that occur near the surface of the skin. Example: rosacea.
Papule: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
A solid, elevated, spot that appears rough in texture and measures less than 1 cm in diameter. Papules are pink, red, or brown in color. Example: seborrheic keratosis.
Plaque: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
A patch of closely grouped thickened papules measuring greater than 1 cm across. Plaque is red, brown, or pink in color with a rough texture. Example: psoriasis.
Nodule: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
Solid, elevated, and palpable, measuring greater than 1.5 cm in diameter. Example: vascular nodule.
Bulla: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
Elevated, circumscribed, fluid filled, > 1 cm in diameter.
Tumor: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
Solid, elevated, and palpable, measuring greater than 2 cm; may vary in shape and size. Example: fatty lipoma.
Wheal: Lesion type and definition
Primary skin lesion
Defined by raised swelling, red bumps, or welts, and itchy skin. Wheals are red in color and are usually caused by an allergic reaction. Example: hives.
Scale: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
A dry build-up of dead skin cells that usually flakes off the surface of the skin, such as in psoriasis.
Excoriation: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
A hollow, crusted area with loss of the epidermis and an exposed dermis; may be caused by scratching the area, as in chronic incontinence.
Ulcer: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
Concave, exudative, and variable in size. Ulcers erode different layers of the skin, such as in a pressure ulcer.
Scar: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
Discolored fibrous tissue that appears over healed surgical incisions and wounds. Scars can be red, blue, white, and silver in color.
Moles: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
A proliferation of melanocytes, is also called a nevus. Nevi is plural for nevus. Color is usually evenly pigmented in shades of brown with smooth borders. They measure less than 6 mm, and hair can grow out of them. Individuals average between 10 and 40 nevi.
Crust: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
A dried collection of blood, serum, or pus; part of the normal healing process, such as in dried herpes zoster.
Erosion: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
A depressed area that is moist and shiny. There is a loss of superficial epidermis, such as in candidiasis erosion.
Fissure: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
A linear crack or break in the skin that involves the epidermal and dermal layers. They create small, deep, red fissures in the skin.
Keloid: Lesion type and definition
Secondary skin lesion
Created by excessive collagen production extending beyond the original boundaries of a wound or incision. It is thick and raised
2 types of moles
Clark’s nevi: Atypical moles are called dysplastic nevi or Clark’s nevi. They are larger with irregular, poorly defined borders. Color varies between shades of brown, tan, and pink. They have a greater potential for developing into melanoma.
Congenital nevi: Present at birth. They vary in size and can be greater than 10 cm and are categorized as small, medium or giant in size. Color is usually tan, brown, red, or shades of black.
Sequence of assessment for skin
- Inspection
- Palpation
Aspects of skin inspection (4)
- Hygiene
- Cyanosis in the lips, oral mucosa, tongue, and extremities
- Pallor of skin in the lips, fingernails, and mucous membranes
- Jaundice of skin in the lips, sclera of the eyes, and across the rest of the body
Aspects of skin palpation (4)
1.Palpate for temperature, comparing side to side using the dorsal surface of your hands
2.Palpate skin thickness. Remember that skin thickness varies. The thinnest skin is found on the eyelids, and the thickest areas of skin are found on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, and elbows. Assess the hands and feet for calluses caused by pressure areas and rubbing
3.Palpate skin turgor. The best location to assess skin turgor is the clavicle area, but may also be done on the lower arm or abdomen. Pinch the skin between two fingers and let go. In a well-hydrated person, the skin returns to the flat position immediately. In the dehydrated person and someone who has lost a large amount of weight, the skin remains tented and slowly returns to the flat position
4.Palpate skin moisture
Distribution of lesions: Diffuse/generalized
Over the entire body
Distribution of lesions: Localized
Limited discrete area
Distribution of lesions: Regional, head
Confined to head
Distribution of lesions: Dermatome
Skin areas connected to spinal nerves
Distribution of lesions: Hairy areas
… self explanatory
Distribution of lesions: Scattered
Sparsely distributed
Distribution of lesions: Regional, torso
Confined to the torso