NURS 1068: Health Assessment I - Integument/Skin, Hair, and Nails

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, function, assessment, and common pathological conditions of the skin, hair, and nails as presented in NURS 1068 Health Assessment I.

Epidermis

The outer layer of the skin consisting of the horny cell layer and the basal cell layer, which contains melanocytes.

Dermis

The inner layer of skin containing blood vessels, nerves, sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and hair follicles.

Subcutaneous tissue

Adipose tissue and connective tissue located beneath the epidermis and dermis.

Sebaceous gland

A gland in the skin that secretes oil to lubricate the skin and hair.

Functions of the Skin

Protection, perception, temperature regulation, identification, communication, wound (tissue) repair, absorption/excretion, and production of vitamin D.

Pruritus

The medical term used to describe itching.

Alopecia

The medical term for hair loss.

Pallor

A white skin color that occurs when red-pink tones from oxygenated hemoglobin are lost and the skin takes on the color of connective tissue (collagen).

Erythema

Intense redness of the skin caused by excess blood (hyperemia) in the dilated superficial capillaries.

Cyanosis

A bluish or grey, mottled discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes signifying that tissues are not adequately perfused with oxygenated blood.

Jaundice

A yellow skin color indicating rising amounts of bilirubin in the blood, first noted in the junction of the hard and soft palates and the sclera.

ABCDE Danger Signs

A mnemonic for melanoma screening: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter greater than $6\,mm$, and Elevation, Enlargement, or Evolving.

Braden Scale

A tool used for skin assessment to determine the risk of developing pressure injuries.

Stage 1 Pressure Injury

Intact skin with a localized area of nonblanchable erythema (redded skin that does not turn white when pressed) where prolonged pressure has occurred.

Stage 2 Pressure Injury

Partial-thickness loss of skin with exposed dermis; the wound bed is viable and may appear as an intact or ruptured blister.

Stage 3 Pressure Injury

Full-thickness tissue loss in which subcutaneous tissue is visible, and undermining or tunneling may occur.

Stage 4 Pressure Injury

Full-thickness tissue loss with visible or directly palpable cartilage, tendon, ligament, muscle, or bone.

Slough

An inflammatory exudate that is usually light yellow, soft, and moist.

Eschar

Dark brown/black, dry, thick, and leathery dead tissue.

Unstageable (Stage X) Pressure Injury

Full-thickness tissue loss in which the extent of damage cannot be confirmed because it is obscured by slough or eschar.

Macule

A type of primary skin lesion that is flat and circumscribed (e.g., a freckle).

Diaphoresis

Profuse perspiration that accompanies an increased metabolic rate.

Mobility

The ease of the skin to rise when a large fold is pinched on the anterior chest under the clavicle.

Turgor

The ability of the skin to return to place promptly when released, reflecting skin elasticity.

Dehydration Fluid Loss Levels

$5\%$ is mild dehydration, $10\%$ is moderate dehydration, and $15\%$ or more is severe dehydration.

Pitting Edema Scale

Graded from $1+$ (mild pitting, slight indentation) to $4+$ (very deep pitting, indentation lasts a long time).

Anasarca

Bilateral edema that is generalized over the whole body, often indicating heart or kidney failure.

Vellus hair

Fine hair that coats most of the body.

Terminal hair

Coarser hair that grows at the eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp.

Tinea capitis

A ringworm infection found mostly in school-age children characterized by grey, scaly, well-defined areas with broken hairs.

Capillary Refill Test

A test for peripheral circulation status performed by depressing the nail edge to blanch; normal return of colour is instant or within $1$ to $2$ seconds.

Early Nail Clubbing

Occurs when the nail base feels spongy and the angle straightens out to $180$ degrees, often due to congenital chronic cyanotic heart disease or chronic lung disease.