Integumentary System – Skin, Hair & Nails (Chapter 13)

These flashcards cover key terms, anatomy, physiology, assessment techniques, common lesions and disorders, risk factors, and patient-teaching points from the Chapter 13 lecture on skin, hair, and nails.

What is the largest organ of the human body?

The skin (integumentary system).

Name the two primary layers of the skin.

Epidermis and dermis (with subcutaneous adipose tissue beneath).

Which type of hair is the fine, faint body covering?

Vellus hair.

What term describes the darker, thicker hair on the scalp, eyebrows, axilla, pubic area, face and chest?

Terminal hair.

Hair growth follows which two cyclical phases?

Active (anagen) and resting (telogen) phases.

Which tiny muscle contracts to create "goose-bumps"?

Arrector pili (erector pili) muscle.

What oily substance do sebaceous glands secrete?

Sebum.

On which two body areas are sebaceous glands absent?

Palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Which sweat glands open directly onto the skin surface and help regulate temperature?

Eccrine (merocrine) glands.

Which sweat glands open into hair follicles and produce a milky, musky secretion?

Apocrine glands.

List four key protective functions of the skin.

Protection from environment, prevents penetration, perception/sensation, temperature regulation (also identification, communication, vitamin D production, wound repair, absorption & excretion).

Which vitamin is synthesized by the skin under UV light?

Vitamin D.

Why are older adults at higher risk for heat stroke?

They have fewer functioning sweat glands, so they sweat less and overheat more easily.

What is "senile purpura"?

Purple bruiselike patches caused by fragile, decreased vascularity in aging skin.

Define a keloid.

A raised, shiny, hypertrophic scar caused by excess collagen formation, common in darker-skinned individuals.

What does each letter stand for in the ABCDEF mole assessment?

A = Asymmetry, B = Border irregularity, C = Color variation, D = Diameter > 6 mm, E = Elevation/Evolution, F = Funny-looking (or "ugly duckling").

What is the most dangerous single risk factor for skin cancer?

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure (sunlight or tanning beds).

Which populations have lower skin-cancer risk because of increased melanin?

Blacks, Native Americans, and Asians.

What causes traction alopecia in some Black individuals?

Tight hairstyles pull on elliptically-shaped hair shafts, causing hair loss.

Define pallor and give one common cause.

Pale skin tone; often due to anemia or vasoconstriction (e.g., cold, shock).

What does the term "pruritus" mean?

Itching.

Differentiate seborrhea vs. xerosis.

Seborrhea = excessive oiliness; Xerosis = excessive dryness of the skin.

Name four pieces of basic equipment for a skin assessment.

Strong light (daylight preferred), small centimeter ruler, penlight, and gloves.

Where is skin turgor commonly assessed in adults?

Under the clavicle (or on the anterior chest).

What is the normal capillary-refill time in fingers or toes?

Color should return within 1–2 seconds after blanching.

What does "tenting" of pinched skin indicate?

Poor turgor, often due to dehydration or weight loss.

What are small (1–5 mm), smooth, bright-red skin papules common after age 30 called?

Cherry (senile) angiomas.

Distinguish between a macule and a papule.

Macule = flat color change < 1 cm; Papule = raised, palpable lesion < 1 cm.

What is urticaria?

Hives—transient, pruritic wheals from allergic release of histamine.

Which lesion pattern looks like a bull’s-eye and is typical of Lyme disease?

Target (erythema migrans).

Describe the typical distribution of a herpes zoster (shingles) rash.

Unilateral, grouped vesicles following a single dermatome (zosteriform).

Describe a Stage 1 pressure injury.

Intact skin with non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence.

Describe a Stage 2 pressure injury.

Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis; a shallow, pink/red wound bed (blister or open ulcer).

Describe a Stage 3 pressure injury.

Full-thickness skin loss extending into subcutaneous fat; may show granulation tissue but not muscle or bone.

Describe a Stage 4 pressure injury.

Full-thickness skin and tissue loss exposing muscle, tendon, or bone; often with slough, eschar, or tunneling.

Which skin cancer is most common but least likely to metastasize?

Basal cell carcinoma.

Which skin cancer is the most dangerous and often arises from a pre-existing mole?

Malignant melanoma.

What are Beau’s lines in nails and what do they indicate?

Transverse grooves or indentations across the nail plate, indicating temporary growth interruption (e.g., severe illness).

Define onychomycosis.

Fungal infection of the nail producing thick, yellow-green discoloration.

At what nail-base angle does clubbing begin?

Clubbing is present when the angle exceeds 180 degrees.

What is a fissure in skin assessment?

A linear crack extending into the dermis (e.g., dry heel cracks, cheilosis at mouth corners).

Why should people with diabetes inspect their feet daily?

To detect cuts, sores, or infections early, since neuropathy and poor healing increase complication risk.

How often should immobile patients be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?

At least every 2 hours.