Module 6 - Skin, Hair, and Nails Assessment

Question 1

Mongolian Spot

Answer 1

variation of hyperpigmentation in newborns of indigenous, african, east indian or hispanic decent. Blue-black to purple macular area at the sacrum/buttock, but can occur on abdomen, thighs, shoulders or arms.

Question 2

Bulla - skin leison

Answer 2

circumscribed collection of free fluid > 1cm

Question 3

Macule - skin lesion

Answer 3

circular flat discoloration <1 cm brown, blye, red or hypopigmented
EX : freckles, flat nevi, measles

Question 4

eccrine glands

Answer 4

coiled tubules that open directly onto the skin surface and produce dilute saline solution called sweat, the sweat reduces body temp

Question 5

apocrine glands

Answer 5

produce thick, milk secretion and open into the hair follicles. They become active during puberty and secretion occurs with emotional and sexual stimulation.

Question 6

erythema

Answer 6

intense redness of the skin from excess blood in the dilated superficial capillaries.

Question 7

edema is graded on a four point scale

Answer 7

1+ Mild pitting, slight indentation, no perceptible swelling of the leg
2+ moderate pitting, indentation subsides rapidly
3+ deep pitting, indentation remains for a short time, swelling of leg
4+ very deep pitting, indentation lasts a long time, gross swelling and distortion of leg

Question 8

cherry (senile) angiomas

Answer 8

small (1-5mm) smooth, slightly raised bright red dots that commonly appears on the trunk in all adults older than 30 years.

Question 9

senile lentigines

Answer 9

“liver spots”: small, flat, brown macules that are variations of hyperpigmentation

Question 10

Abnormal characteristics of pigmented lesions are summarized in the mnemonic ABCDE

Answer 10

A - asymmetry, not regularly round of oval; two halves of lesion do not look the same
B - border irregularity, notching, scalloping, ragged edges or poor defined margins
C - Colour variation, areas of brown, tan, black, blue, red, white, or combination
D - Diameter greater than 6 mm, although early melanomas may be diagnosed at a smaller size
E - Elevation and Evolution

Question 11

annular

Answer 11

circular; begins in centre and spears to periphery

EX: tinea corporis (ring worm), tinea versicolor, pityriarsis rosea

Question 12

confluent

Answer 12

lesions that merge together

EX: urticaria (hives)

Question 13

grouped

Answer 13

cluster of lesions

EX: vesicles of contact dermatitis

Question 14

gyrate

Answer 14

twisted, coiled, spiral, snakelike

Question 15

target

Answer 15

also called iris; resemble iris of eye, concentric rings of colour in the lesions
EX: erythema multiforme

Question 16

Linear

Answer 16

Scratch, streak, line or stripe

Question 17

Polycyclic

Answer 17

annular lesions that grow together

EX: lichen planus, psoriasis

Question 18

Zosteriform

Answer 18

linear arrangement along a nerve route

EX: herpes zoster

Question 19

papule

Answer 19

palpable: solid, elvated, circumscribed, < 1cm diameter; caused by superficial thickening in the epidermis
EX: wart, elevated nevus (mole)

Question 20

nodule

Answer 20

solid, elevated, hard or soft, > 1cm diameter; may extend deeper into dermis than papule

Question 21

tumour

Answer 21

larger than a few cm in diameter; firm or soft; deeper into dermis; may be benign or malignant

Question 22

vesicle

Answer 22

also called a blister; elevated cavity containing free fluid, up to 1 cm; clear serum flows if wall is ruptured
EX: herpes simplex, Herpes zoster(shingles), contact dermatits

Question 23

Wheal

Answer 23

superficial, raised, transient and erythematous; slightly irregular shape because of edema
EX: mosquito bite, allergic reaction

Question 24

plaque

Answer 24

papules that coalesce to form surface elevation wider than 1cm; plateaulike, disc-shaped lesion
EX: psoriasis, lichen planus

Question 25

A flat macular hemorrhage is called a

Answer 25

Purpura is a flat, macular, red-to-purple hemorrhage that is a confluent and extensive patch of petechiae and ecchymoses greater than 3 mm.

Question 26

While the nurse is taking the health history, the patient complains of pruritus. What is a potential cause of this symptom?

Answer 26

Pruritus is itching and is the most common skin symptom that can result from dry skin, aging, allergy, obstructive jaundice, uremia, lice infestation, and drug reactions.

Question 27

The components of a nail examination include

Answer 27

The nails are assessed for shape and contour, consistency, and colour during inspection and palpation to acquire objective data.

Question 28

A scooped-out, shallow depression in the skin is called a(n)

Answer 28

An erosion is a scooped-out, shallow depression in the skin.