CH 41 & 42 Skin Disorders and Burns

What is the largest organ in the body?

The skin

What percentage of total body weight does the skin comprise?

16%

What is one of the primary functions of the skin?

Maintain homeostasis and temperature control

What does the skin serve as in terms of defense?

The first line of defense against pathogens

What can skin color indicate about a person's health?

It can indicate conditions like jaundice, pallor, cyanosis, or bruising.

What is the difference between a rash and a lesion?

A rash is a temporary eruption, while a lesion is a loss of normal skin structure and function.

What is the diagnosis for impaired skin integrity?

Impaired skin integrity

What is one intervention for maintaining skin integrity?

Prevent progression of impairment

What is a pustule?

A papule filled with pus

What is erythema?

Reddened skin

What does xerosis refer to?

Dry skin

What is the common cause of clubbed nails?

Chronic hypoxia, cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease

What is the most common type of skin cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma

What is a key characteristic of squamous cell carcinoma?

Overproduction of keratin resulting in a keratinized tumor

What is malignant melanoma?

A rare skin cancer that arises from a preexisting mole and can be fatal if not treated early.

What are some risk factors for melanoma?

Having irregular-looking moles, a history of sunburns, or being over 50 years of age.

What is hyperhidrosis?

Excessive sweat production

What is the treatment for bacterial skin infections?

Antibiotics

What is the difference between a vesicle and a bulla?

A vesicle is a small blister, while a bulla is a large blister.

What is the main cause of acne vulgaris?

Inflammation of sebaceous glands, commonly during puberty due to hormones.

What is the purpose of using sunscreen?

To prevent skin damage from UV radiation.

What are common viral skin infections?

Herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles), varicella (chicken pox), and warts.

What is paronychia?

Pain, redness, and swelling caused by bacterial or fungal infection along the nail edge.

What are pressure injuries?

Localized damage to the skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence.

What are common inflammatory skin disorders?

Dermatitis, psoriasis, lupus, and urticaria (hives).

What is dermatitis?

Skin inflammation often characterized by itching, erythema, papules or scales, and sometimes drainage.

What are the types of dermatitis?

Allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

What is psoriasis?

A chronic inflammatory condition involving the skin, scalp, and nails, characterized by rapid cellular proliferation.

What triggers exacerbations of psoriasis?

Infections, dry skin, certain medications, stress, and excessive alcohol consumption.

What is urticaria?

A condition presenting with raised erythematous skin lesions (welts) due to a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.

What can trigger urticaria?

Infections, food, medications, emotional stress, and excessive perspiration.

What is scleroderma?

A rare autoimmune disease characterized by tightening of skin and connective tissue.

What is systemic lupus erythematosus?

A systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can present with skin lesions, often in a butterfly pattern on the face.

What are the causes of burns?

Thermal (hot and cold), chemical, electrical, and radiation.

How is burn severity determined?

By depth, body surface percentage, total body surface area (TBSA), patient age, and systemic involvement.

What is a partial thickness burn?

A burn where part of the stratum basale remains viable, allowing for regeneration of the epidermis.

What is a full thickness burn?

A burn where the epidermis and dermis are completely destroyed, usually painless due to destroyed sensory nerves.

What characterizes a first-degree burn?

Involves only the epidermis, is red and painful, and heals within a week.

What characterizes a second-degree burn?

Damages both epidermis and dermis, is very painful, and healing can take weeks to months depending on severity.

What is a third-degree burn?

Completely destroys the epidermis and dermis, usually surrounded by first and second-degree burns, with a long healing process.

What is a fourth-degree burn?

Extremely severe burns affecting deeper tissues, including muscles and bones, often requiring amputation.

What are general systemic responses to burns?

Disruption of normal organ function if TBSA is greater than 30%, leading to hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased urine output.

What are immune responses to burns?

Negative impact on immune function, including decreased immunoglobulin and WBC production, increasing infection risk.

What is the Rule of 9's?

A clinical method to estimate burn area, where body parts are assigned percentages that add up to 100%.

What is the primary challenge of burn care?

Pain management, including routine assessment and use of IV opioids for rapid relief.

What are common complications of burns?

Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and compartment syndrome.

What is hypertrophic scarring?

Raised areas of firm skin (keloids) that can occur after burns, often requiring compression dressings to reduce formation.

What is contracture in burn patients?

A condition where healing occurs by concentric reduction in wound size, limiting function and often requiring surgical release.