skin, scalp, hair, nails

skin

inspect & palpate __ by focusing on: color, moisture, texture, turgor, temperature

skin

check for uniformity of color and hypopigmented/hyperpigmented areas

cyanosis

examine the conjunctive palms, soles, buccal muscles mucosa, tongue. look for dull, dark color

edema

examine the area for decreased color and palpate for tightness

erythema

palpate the area for warmth

jaundice

examine the sclerae and hard palate in natural, not fluorescent light. look for yellow color

pallor

look for an ashen color

petechiae

look for tiny, purplish red dots

rashes

palpate the area for skin texture changes

moisture

the skin should be relatively dry w a minimal amount of precipitation

diaphoresis

increased metabolic rate

pitting edema grade 1

2 mm

pitting edema grade 2

3-4 mm

pitting edema grade 3

5-6 mm

pitting edema grade 4

8 mm

cherry (senile) angioma

a mole like skin growth made up of small blood vessels or capillaries

turgor

pinch up a large fold of skin

temperature

palpate the skin for __ using the dorsal surface of your hand

abnormal characteristics of pigmented lesions (ABCDE)

asymmetry of lesion
border irregularity
color variation
diameter > 6 mm
evolving

pustule

small, pus-filled lesion

cysts

closed sac in/under skin that contains fluid/semi-solid

nodule

raised lesion detectable by touch

wheal

raised, reddish area that’s commonly itchy for 24 h

fissure

painful, cracklike lesion

bulla

large, fluid-filled usually 1 cm or more

macule

small patch on skin

ulcer

craterlike lesion

vesicle

small fluid-filled lesion usually 1 cm or less

papule

solid, raised lesion usually less than 1 cm

hair

note the distribution, quantity, texture, color

nails

examine the nails for color, shape, thickness, consistency and contour

schamroth’s signs

when the nail of 2 normal fingers are apposed there is a diamond shape gap

muehrcke’s lines

longitudinal lines that indicate trauma/metabolic stress
impairs the body from using protein

muehrcke’s lines

splinter hemorrhages

reddish brown narrow streaks under the nails

splinter hemorrhages

spoon nails

pitting of nails

beau’s lines

nail clubbing

thickening & discoloration

leukonychia