Nursing Terminology- Ch. 4 Integumentary System

Abrasion

scraping way of skin or mucous membranes

acne

disease of the sebaceous (oil) glands and hair follicles in the skin, marked by plugged pores, pimples, cysts, and nodules on the face, neck, chest, back, and other areas

actinic keratosis

precancerous conditions in which rough, scaly patches of skin develop, most commonly on sun-exposed areas such as the scalp, neck, face, ears, lips, hands, and forearms; also known as solar keratosis

alopecia

autoimmune disease that results in the loss of hair

basal cell carcinoma

common type of skin cancer that typically appears as a small, shiny papule and eventually enlarges to form a whitish border around a central depression or ulcer that may bleed

bulla

large blister or skin vesicle filled with fluid

burn

type of thermal injury to the skin caused by a variety of heat sources; classified according to severity as first-degree (superficial), second-degree (partial-thickness), and third-degree (full-thickness)

callus

thickened, hardened, toughened area of skin caused by frequent or chronic pressure or friction

carbuncle

very large furuncle or cluster of connected furuncles

cellulitis

potentially serious bacterial skin infection marked by pain, redness, edema, warmth, and fever

comedo

blackhead

corn

small callus that develops on smooth, hairless skin surfaces, such as the backs of fingers or toes, in response to pressure and friction; hard corns typically develop on the sides of feet and tops of toes; soft corns usually develop between toes

cyst

fluid- or solid-containing pouch in or under the skin

decubitus ulcer

area of injury and tissue death caused by unrelieved pressure that impedes circulation in the skin and underlying tissue

ecchymosis, contusion

discoloration of the skin, bruise

eczema

inflammatory skin condition marked by red, hot, dry, scaly, cracked, and itchy skin or blisters

epidermoid cyst

small sac or pouch below the skin surface containing a thick, cheesy substance; appears pale white or yellow, but can be darker in dark-skinned people

fissure

small, cracklike break in the skin

folliculitis

inflammation of hair follicles, marked by rash with small red bumps, pustules, tenderness, and itching; common on the neck, armpit, and groin area

frostbite

injury that occurs when skin tissues are exposed to temperatures cold enough to cause them to freeze

furuncle

infection of a hair follicle; commonly called a boil

impetigo

bacterial skin infection marked by yellow to red weeping, crusted, or pustular lesions; common in children

incision

surgical cut in the flesh

laceration

cut or tear in the flesh

Lyme disease

bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, marked by erythema chronicum migrans, a red, circular rash that slowly expands and enlarges; untreated disease causes multisystem symptoms

macule

flat, discolored spot on the skin, such as a freckle

malignant melanoma

aggressive form of skin cancer that often begins as various-colored, asymmetrical lesions larger than 6 mm in diameter

melasma

development of irregular areas of darker-pigmented skin on the forehead, nose, cheek, and upper lip; also called chloasma or the mask of pregnancy

papule

small, raised spot or bump on the skin, such as a mole

paronychia

acute or chronic infection of the margins of the fingernail or toenail, marked by warmth, erythema, edema, pus, throbbing, pain, or tenderness; causes the nail to become discolored and thickened

pediculosis

infestation of head, body, or pubic lice, marked by itching, the appearance of lice on the body, and eggs (nits) attached to the hair shafts

petechiae

tiny red or purple hemorrhagic spots

psoriasis

chronic, inflammatory skin disorder marked by the development of silvery-white scaly plaques or patches with sharply defined borders and reddened skin beneath

puncture

hole or wound made by a sharp, pointed instrument

pustule

small, pus-filled blister

rosacea

chronic condition that causes flushing and redness of the face, neck, and chest

scabies

contagious skin disease transmitted by the itch mite, with symptoms of itching, scaly papules, insect burrows, and secondary infected lesions most prevalent in skin folds at the wrists and elbows, between the fingers, under the arms, in the groin, and under the beltline

scales

area of skin that is excessively dry and flaky

sebaceous cyst

small sac or pouch below the skin surface filled with a thick fluid or semisolid oily substance called sebum

seborrheic keratosis

benign, flat, irregularly shaped skin growths of various colors with a warty, waxy, "stuck on" appearance

squamous cell carcinoma

type of cancer that usually appears in the mouth, esophagus, bronchi, lungs, or vagina and uterine cervix, marked by a firm, red nodule or a scaly appearance; may ulcerate

tinea

fungal disease occurring on various parts of the body, also called dermatophytosis or ringworm

ulcer

lesion of the skin or mucous membranes marked by inflammation, necrosis, and sloughing of damaged tissues

vesicle

clear, fluid-filled blister

vitiligo

chronic skin disease that results in patchy loss of skin pigment; may also affect hair color and cause white patches or streaks

wart

a small benign skin tumor caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV); appearance varies from tiny to moderate-sized bumps or cauliflower-shaped growths

wheal

rounded, temporary elevation in the skin, white in the center with a red-pink periphery and accompanied by itching