NUR 3032 Integumentary Disorders: Skin Cancer and Pressure Ulcers

Vocabulary flashcards covering skin cancer types, ultraviolet radiation, precancerous lesions, and pressure injury stages based on lecture notes.

Sunburn

An erythematous inflammatory reaction resulting from excessive exposure of the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin to ultraviolet radiation.

Chemical Agents (Sunscreens)

Sunscreen ingredients that absorb ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Physical Agents (Sunscreens)

Sunscreen ingredients that reflect ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Biological Agents (Sunscreens)

Sunscreen ingredients that reduce inflammation.

Acute Effects of Ultraviolet Rays

Short-lived and reversible skin changes from sunlight, including erythema, pigmentation, and injury to Langerhans cells and keratinocytes.

Chronic Effects of Ultraviolet Rays

Long-term skin damage caused by sunlight that directly damages skin cells, accelerates skin aging, and produces changes that predispose individuals to skin cancer.

UVC Rays

Short ultraviolet rays ranging from $100\text{ to }289\text{ nm}$ that do not pass through the earth's atmosphere.

UVB Rays

Ultraviolet rays ranging from $290\text{ to }320\text{ nm}$ that are responsible for nearly all the skin effects of sunlight.

UVA Rays

Ultraviolet rays ranging from $321\text{ to }400\text{ nm}$ that can pass through window glass and are commonly referred to as sun tanning rays.

Nevi

Moles; the most common benign skin tumor that develops from melanocytes, which can present as atypical or dysplastic with irregular shape and variegated color.

Actinic Keratosis

A premalignant skin lesion characterized by rough scaly patches and red plaques.

Lentigos

Brown spots on the skin, also known as liver spots or age spots.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

The most common form of skin cancer in the USA, characterized by a shiny, translucent dome shape extending wide and deep, associated with long-term sun exposure.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The second most common malignant tumor of the outer epidermis, appearing as a red shallow non-healing ulcer, crusted, or scaly patch lacking a pearly rolled border, which is highly aggressive and metastasizes.

Malignant Melanoma

The most lethal form of skin cancer originating from melanocytes, progressing through radial and vertical growth phases.

ABCDE Rule

A clinical rule used to identify skin cancer manifestations: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation/change, Diameter greater than $6\text{ mm}$, and Elevation or Evolving.

Pressure Injury

Ischemic lesions of the skin and underlying structures caused by unrelieved pressure that impairs the flow of blood and lymph.

Shear

A mechanical force involved in pressure injury development that bends blood vessels.

Friction

A mechanical force involved in pressure injury development that damages the dermis and epidermis interface.

Deep Tissue Pressure Injury

A pre-stage pressure injury presenting as purplish skin discoloration with potential for deeper tissue damage.

Stage 1 Pressure Injury

A pressure injury stage resulting in non-blanchable erythema of intact skin.

Stage 2 Pressure Injury

A pressure injury stage involving partial-thickness skin loss and loss of dermis, presenting as shallow open ulcers.

Stage 3 Pressure Injury

A pressure injury stage involving full-thickness skin loss with necrosis of subcutaneous tissue and exposed fat.

Stage 4 Pressure Injury

A pressure injury stage involving full-thickness skin loss with extensive destruction, tissue necrosis, and damage to muscle, bone, tendon, or supporting structures.

Unstageable Pressure Injury

Full-thickness tissue loss where the base of the ulcer is covered by slough and/or eschar, preventing depth determination until removed.