Integumentary System, Vital Signs, and Medical Law & Ethics

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terminology, the integumentary system, vital signs, and healthcare law and ethics.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain an internal balance despite external conditions.

Integumentary System

The body's outer layer consisting of the hair, nails, and associated glands, functioning as a protective barrier that regulates temperature, prevents water loss, eliminates waste, acts as a sensory organ, reduces UV radiation effects, and helps produce vitamin D.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin consisting of $5$ layers, which receives nutrients through diffusion and contains pigment that determines a person's skin tone.

Melanocytes

Cells located in the skin that produce melanin.

Melanin

A brownish pigment that absorbs ultraviolet light so it does not reach deeper layers of the skin.

Dermis

The middle layer of the skin, known as "true skin," made of elastic connective tissue; it contains sweat glands, oil glands, nerves, blood vessels, hair follicles, and ridges that form fingerprints.

Sudoriferous Glands

Sweat glands numbering between $2\text{ and }5\text{ million}$ across the body that secrete waste products composed of water, salt, and other chemicals, with the highest density located on the palms, soles of the feet, and forehead.

Sebaceous Glands

Glands located throughout the body (except on the palms and soles of the feet) that secrete oil and waxy secretions to lubricate hair and skin and slow water loss.

Hypodermis

The deepest layer of skin, also called the subcutaneous layer, composed of elastic and fibrous connective tissue as well as fatty tissue; it connects the skin to underlying muscles and protects internal organs.

Lesion

An area of abnormal or damaged tissue caused by internal or external injury, infection, or disease.

Sign

A visual cue or objective indicator that something is wrong with a patient.

Symptom

A subjective feeling or sensation that the patient reports.

Frontal Plane

A body plane that divides the body into front and back portions.

Sagittal Plane

A body plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Transverse Plane

A body plane that divides the body into top and bottom portions.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position of the body: standing erect with arms by the side and palms facing forward.

Anterior

Directional term meaning the front of the body.

Posterior

Directional term meaning behind or toward the back of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning towards the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the center of the body or point of attachment.

Distal

Directional term meaning further away from the center of the body or point of attachment.

Acute

A condition that develops suddenly and typically lasts for a short period of time.

Chronic

A condition that develops slowly and persists for an extended period, often months, years, or a lifetime.

Morphology

The study of the shape, form, and structural nature of something in the body.

Macule

A flat skin lesion measuring less than $1\,\text{cm}$ without elevation or depression.

Patch

A flat skin lesion measuring greater than $1\,\text{cm}$ without elevation or depression.

Plaque

A flat, elevated skin lesion measuring greater than $1\,\text{cm}$.

Papule

An elevated, solid skin lesion measuring less than $1\,\text{cm}$.

Nodule

An elevated skin lesion measuring greater than $1\,\text{cm}$.

Acne

A skin condition caused when blocked hair follicles form a plug made of oil from glands, bacteria, and dead cells that clump together and swell.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

The most common form of skin cancer, originating at the basal cell level.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

A type of skin cancer that originates at the squamous cell level.

Melanoma

The most serious form of skin cancer, which can become deadly once it metastasizes to other parts of the body.

ABCDE Rule

A clinical guideline for identifying melanoma: Asymmetry (halves do not match), Border (irregular edges), Color (uneven color), Diameter (spot is larger than $6\,\text{mm}$), and Evolving (changing in size, shape, and color).

First-Degree Burn

Tissue damage caused by thermal, radiation, chemical, or electrical contact that affects only the epidermis layer of the skin.

Second-Degree Burn

A burn that affects both the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin.

Third-Degree Burn

A burn that affects the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis layers of the skin.

Fever

An abnormally elevated body temperature that, if left untreated, can cause organ damage.

Hypothermia

An abnormally low body temperature that can cause complete failure of the heart and respiratory systems, leading to death.

Pulse Rate

The measurement of heart rate, defined as the number of times the heart beats per minute, with a normal healthy adult range of $60\text{ to }100\,\text{BPM}$.

Tachycardia

An abnormally elevated heart rate above $100\,\text{BPM}$.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow heart rate below $60\,\text{BPM}$.

Respiration Rate

The number of breaths a person takes per minute, measured at rest by counting chest rises for one minute, with a normal adult range of $12\text{ to }20\,\text{respirations}$.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored breathing.

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing.

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Scope of Practice

A defined set of guidelines and limitations that govern what a healthcare provider can and cannot do based on their education, professional title, and accreditation.

Breach of Duty

A legal failure where a healthcare professional fails to respond properly to a patient's illness or injury, resulting in additional harm to the patient.

Standard of Care

The legal and professional requirement to treat a patient to the best of one's ability, providing the level of care that a reasonable person with similar training would provide.

Good Samaritan Law

A law that protects citizens from legal liability for acts or omissions when providing good faith emergency care.

Reportable Events

Incidents that healthcare professionals are legally mandated to report to authorities, including gunshot wounds, knife wounds, motor vehicle collisions, domestic violence, child or elder abuse, dog bites, and rape.

Express Consent

Explicit approval given by a patient, either verbally or non-verbally, indicating willingness to receive treatment, provided they are not mentally impaired.

Implied Consent

Emergency consent assumed when an incapacitated or impaired patient does not or cannot specifically refuse emergency medical care.

Documentation

The initial written account describing a patient's condition and the medical care administered, serving as a permanent legal record and a basis for evaluating quality of care.

Ethics

The moral principles that govern a person's behavior, actions, or conduct within a specific activity or profession.

Morals

Beliefs and principles concerned with right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.

Law

The formal system of rules recognized by a country or community to regulate the actions of its members, enforced through the imposition of penalties.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, a federal statute that strengthens legal protections for the privacy and security of patient healthcare information.

Privacy Rule

A HIPAA component guaranteeing that every individual has a legal right to the privacy of their medical and health information.

Security Rule

A HIPAA regulation establishing federal standards that regulate who is authorized to access protected health information.

Breach Notification Rule

A HIPAA mandate requiring healthcare entities to promptly alert patients if a potential breach or unauthorized disclosure of their health information occurs.

Medical Malpractice

A tort occurring when a medical professional performs their job in a manner that deviates from the accepted standard of medical care, resulting in patient injury or death.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain an internal balance despite external conditions.

Integumentary System

The body's outer layer consisting of the hair, nails, and associated glands, functioning as a protective barrier.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin composed of $5$ layers, which provides nutrients through diffusion and contains pigment that determines skin tone.

Melanocytes

Cells that produce color pigments, specifically producing melanin.

Melanin

A brownish pigment that absorbs ultraviolet light so it does not reach the deeper layers of the skin.

Dermis

The middle layer of the skin, known as true skin, made of elastic connective tissue and containing sweat glands, oil glands, nerves, blood vessels, and hair follicles.

Sudoriferous Glands

Sweat glands that secrete waste products composed of water, salt, and other chemicals, totaling between $2\text{ and }5\text{ million}$ across the body.

Sebaceous Glands

Glands located throughout the body (except the palms and soles) that secrete oil and waxy secretions to lubricate the hair and skin and slow water loss.

Hypodermis

The deepest layer of skin, also called the subcutaneous layer, made of elastic and fibrous connective tissue as well as fatty tissue to connect skin to underlying muscles and protect organs.

Lesion

An area of abnormal or damaged tissue caused by injury, infection, or disease, which can be internal or external.

Frontal Plane

A body plane that cuts the body into front and back sections.

Sagittal Plane

A body plane that cuts the body into right and left sections.

Transverse Plane

A body plane that cuts the body into top and bottom sections.

Anatomical Position

A directional reference position characterized by standing with arms by the side and palms facing forward.

Morphology

The study of the shape, form, and nature of structures in the body.

Macule

A flat skin lesion measuring less than $1\,\text{cm}$ without elevation or depression.

Patch

A flat skin lesion measuring greater than $1\,\text{cm}$ without elevation or depression.

Papule

An elevated, solid skin lesion measuring less than $1\,\text{cm}$.

Plaque

A flat, elevated skin lesion measuring greater than $1\,\text{cm}$.

Nodule

An elevated skin lesion measuring greater than $1\,\text{cm}$.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

The most common form of skin cancer, which originates at the basal cell level.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

A form of skin cancer that originates at the squamous cell level.

Melanoma

The most serious form of skin cancer, which can become deadly once it spreads to other parts of the body.

ABCDE Rule

The diagnostic criteria for evaluating moles: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, uneven Color, Diameter larger than $6\,\text{mm}$, and Evolving size, shape, or color.

Second-Degree Burn

A burn that affects both the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin.

Third-Degree Burn

A severe burn that penetrates through the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis layers of the skin.

Rectal Temperature

A core body temperature measurement taken with a glass or digital thermometer that tends to read $0.7^{\circ}\text{F}\text{ to }1^{\circ}\text{F}$ higher than oral readings, making it the most accurate method.

Axillary Temperature

A body temperature measurement taken under the arm that tends to read $0.3^{\circ}\text{F}\text{ to }0.4^{\circ}\text{F}$ lower than oral readings, making it the least accurate method.

Hypothermia

An abnormally low body temperature condition that can lead to complete failure of the heart and respiratory system, potentially causing death.

Pulse Rate

A measurement of heart rate defined as the number of times the heart beats per minute, normally ranging from $60\text{ to }100\,\text{BPM}$ in healthy adults.

Tachycardia

An irregular heart rate pattern characterized by a resting heart rate above $100\,\text{BPM}$.

Bradycardia

An irregular heart rate pattern characterized by a resting heart rate below $60\,\text{BPM}$.

Respiration Rate

The number of breaths a person takes per minute, measured at rest by counting chest rises, with a normal range of $12-20\,\text{respirations}$.

Eupnea

A medical term denoting normal, regular breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Scope of Practice

A defined set of guidelines and limitations specifying what a healthcare provider can or cannot do based on their education, title, and accreditation.