Assessing Skin, Hair, and Nails

Question 1

-flat lesion
-<1cm diameter
-different pigmentation from skin
-ex: freckles

Answer 1

Macules

Question 2

-elevated, solid, demarcated lesion
-<1cm in diameter
-ex: wart and some moles

Answer 2

Papules

Question 3

-elevated lesions
-<1cm
-filled with serous fluid
-chicken pox or shingles

Answer 3

vesicles

Question 4

-vesicle
->1cm
-ex: blister

Answer 4

Bullae

Question 5

-elevated lesions
-<1cm
-filled with pus
-ex: impetigo or acne

Answer 5

pustules

Question 6

-elevated, firm, & coarse
-scaly lesions
->1cm
-ex: psoriasis

Answer 6

plaques

Question 7

An inherited disorder with a deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eye, or eye only due to an abnormality in the production of melanin

Answer 7

albinism

Question 8

loss of hair

Answer 8

alopecia

Question 9

Thinning of the skin surface and loss of normal skin markings; muscle wasting

Answer 9

atrophy

Question 10

Transverse grooves or ridges on the nail plate that are temporary and usually occur after a severe illness

Answer 10

Beau’s lines

Question 11

A tool for predicting pressure ulcer risk

Answer 11

Braden scale

Question 12

A discoloration often seen on the face of pregnant women and known as the “mask of pregnancy”

Answer 12

Chloasma

Question 13

An abnormal enlargement of the distal phalanges with a flattening of the curvature of the nail margin at the cuticle, where the nail meets the cuticle; nailbed angle measures greater than 160 degrees

Answer 13

clubbing

Question 14

Dried serum, blood, or pus on the surface of the skin; AKA scab

Answer 14

crusting

Question 15

A bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, mucus membranes and and/or nails

Answer 15

cyanosis

Question 16

Encapsulated fluid-filled or semi-solid mass in the subcutaneous tissue or dermis

Answer 16

cyst

Question 17

A flat, livid black-and-blue or purple spot or area due to the escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels; AKA bruise

Answer 17

ecchymosis

Question 18

Superficial destruction of a surface area of skin or mucous membrane by inflammation, ulceration, or trauma

Answer 18

erosion

Question 19

Intense redness of the skin due to excess blood in dilated superficial capillaries, as in fever or inflammation

Answer 19

erythema

Question 20

injury causing loss of the epidermal layers, often caused by scratching; AKA abrasion

Answer 20

excoriation

Question 21

A palpable bruise; localized swelling filled with blood resulting from a break in a blood vessel;a collection of extravasated blood trapped in the tissues of the skin or in an organ

Answer 21

hematoma

Question 21

Linear crack in the epidermis that can extend into the dermis

Answer 21

fissure

Question 22

Excessive growth of hair

Answer 22

hirsutism

Question 23

A yellowish discoloration of the skin and sclera, often related to liver problems such as hepatitis

Answer 23

jaundice

Question 24

Excessive scar formation

Answer 24

keloid

Question 25

Rough, thickened epidermis; skin becomes hardened and leathery usually as a result of chronic irritation, rubbing or scratching

Answer 25

lichenification

Question 26

The presence of tiny raised lines or ridges that run up and down the length of the nail due to aging, nail injury, or trauma

Answer 26

longitudinal ridging

Question 27

The occurrence of smooth-surfaced white spots or patches under the nails, of unknown cause; possibly result from cuticle manipulation

Answer 27

leukonychia

Question 28

Epidermal cells that produce melanin

Answer 28

melanocytes

Question 29

A small, pearly, firm, noninflammatory elevation of the skin; a clog of the eccrine duct, the true sweat gland; commonly associated with newborn babies but can appear on people of all ages

Answer 29

milia

Question 30

Benign, flat, dark-bluish or mulberry-colored congenital birthmark; rounded or oval spots with wavy borders and irregular shape usually on the sacral region

Answer 30

Mongolian spots

Question 31

Uneven discolored patches on the skin as a result of cutaneous ischemia (lowered blood flow to the surfaces of the skin)

Answer 31

mottling

Question 32

A congenital or acquired usually highly pigmented, sharply circumscribed area on the skin that is either flat or raised; AKA mole

Answer 32

nevus

Question 33

A solid, elevated skin lesion that extends into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue; 0.05.- 2 cm

Answer 33

nodule

Question 34

A general lack of color due to decreased visibility of the normal oxyhemoglobin, often seen in persons who are anemic, in shock, or who are about to faint

Answer 34

pallor

Question 35

Inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation

Answer 35

paronychia

Question 36

Flat, nonpalpable, but visually distinct areas on the skin surface with color different from the person's normal skin; greater than 1 cm

Answer 36

patch

Question 37

Numerous tiny purple or red spots appearing on the skin or mucus membranes as a result of tiny hemorrhages within the dermal or submucosal layers

Answer 37

petechiae

Question 38

An ulcer due to local interference with circulation; AKA decubitus ulcer; lay term "bed sore"

Answer 38

pressure ulcer

Question 39

Any of several hemorrhagic states characterized by patches of purplish discoloration resulting from extravasation of blood into the skin and mucous membranes, ecchymoses or petechiae

Answer 39

purpura

Question 40

A small thin flake of keratinized epithelium; flaking of the skin

Answer 40

scale

Question 41

Thin to thick fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin following injury; the end product of wound repair

Answer 41

scare

Question 42

A pathological condition in which a tissue has become hard and which is produced by overgrowth of fibrous tissue or by increase in interstitial tissue

Answer 42

sclerosis

Question 43

Abnormally increased secretion and discharge of sebum producing an oily appearance of the skin and the formation of greasy scales

Answer 43

seborrhea

Question 44

The elasticity or resilience of the normal skin such that the skin rapidly recoils after being pulled up or pinched

Answer 44

skin turgor

Question 45

A form of telangiectasis characterized by a central elevated red dot the size of a pinhead from which small blood vessels radiate

Answer 45

spider angioma

Question 46

Permanent dilation of groups of superficial capillaries and venules

Answer 46

telangiectasia

Question 47

A skin abnormality indicative of dehydration; poor skin turgor in that the skin maintains a triangular or tent-like appearance when gently pinched

Answer 47

tenting

Question 48

A solid, elevated skin lesion that extends into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue; greater than 2 cm; a swelling or enlargement occurring in inflammatory conditions; also called neoplasm, a new growth of tissue characterized by progressive, uncontrolled proliferation of cells

Answer 48

tumor

Question 49

Loss of epidermis and dermis

Answer 49

ulcer

Question 50

Skin rash that appears as raised, well-circumscribed areas of erythema and edema involving the dermis and epidermis; may be very pruritic; AKA wheals; lay term: hives

Answer 50

urticaria

Question 51

The fluid-filled elevated masses less than 1 cm often seen in herpes and chickenpox

Answer 51

vesicle

Question 52

The appearance on otherwise healthy skin of non-pigmented white patches of varied sizes

Answer 52

vitiligo

Question 53

Localized edema in the epidermis causing irregular elevation that may be red or pale; AKA urticaria or hives

Answer 53

wheal