Skin

Question 2

What are the functions of the skin?

Answer 2

• Protection
• Immunological response
• Biochemical functions
• Thermoregulation
• Social and sexual function

Question 3

What are biochemical functions

Answer 3

• Vitamin D
  
  • Absorption of calcium
  • Absorption of phosphorus
  • Protection of immune cells
  • Protection of neural cells
  • Absence increased risk factor for brain disease
• Vitamin A
  
  • Homeostasis of the skin
  • Stimulates new skin
  • Moisturising
  • Maintaining healthy immune system

Question 4

Role of structure in thermoregulation?

Answer 4

• Hair erector muscle - contracts to make hair stand up
• Hair - stands up to trap layer of warm air
• Sweat gland - inactive
• Nerve ending - sense change in temperature on surface of the skin and sends info to the brain via sensory neurone
• Blood vessel - vaso constriction
• Fat tissue - help insulate against heat loss
• Sweat gland - sweat evaporates from the skin in order to increase heat loss
• Nerve ending - Sense change in temperature on surface of the skin and sends info to the brain via sensory neurone
• Blood vessel - vaso dilation

Question 5

What is skin integrity?

Answer 5

• Altered skin integrity contributes to the devlopment of injuries and can lead to risk of infection, limb loss and even death
• There are external and internal factors that can alter integrity

Question 6

What are external factors?

Answer 6

• Friction
• Pressure
• Falling
• Paralysis
• Surgical procedures

Question 7

What are internal factors?

Answer 7

• Skin deiseases
• Malnutrition and the resulting lifestyle disease
• Diabetes
• Vascular diseases

Question 8

What to do during a skin assessment?

Answer 8

• Past medical history (medications and allergies)
• Family history
• Vulnerable skin - extremes of age, previous skin breakdown, cellulitis etc
• Wound related - oedema, exudating wounds, infection, pressure
• Condition - dry, itchy, cracked, red
• Dermatology conditions - eczema, psoriasis, rashes
• Duration of problems and any seasonal variations
• Skin hygeine - understand how it is cared for
• What make condition better or worse

Question 9

What is cellulitis?

Answer 9

• Bacterial infection
• Causes redness, swelling and pain in the infected area
• Wound care and hygeine are vital in preventing its occurence

Question 10

What is lymphedema?

Answer 10

• Build up of protein rich fluid in the tissues which would normally be cleared through the lymphatic system
• Treated through compression

Question 11

What is eczema?

Answer 11

• Cause is unknown, often related to allergies and external irritants
• Swelling, dryness, rashes and itchiness

Question 12

What is psoriasis?

Answer 12

• Immune system causes skin cells to multiply faster than usual and dead cells build up on skins surface

Question 13

What is maceration?

Answer 13

• Softening and breaking down of the skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture

Question 14

What is jaundice?

Answer 14

• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of the pigment bilirubin and typically caused by obstruction of the bile duct
• Casued by liver disease or excessive breakdown of red blood cells

Question 15

What is lipodermatosclerosis?

Answer 15

• Chronic inflammatory condition characterised by subcutaneous fibrosis and hardening of the skin on the lower legs
• Associated with chronic venous insufficiency
• Good skin care, limb elevation and compression as well as lifestyle modifications can prevent occurence

Question 16

What is pitting Oedema?

Answer 16

Caused by a variety of issues
* Heart valve problems
* Low protein levels
* Deep venous thrombosis - blood clots
* Severe lung disease
* Congestive heart failure
* Venous insufficiency
* Liver disease
* Kidney failure
* Obesity
* Pregnancy
* Administration of intravenous fluids
* Medications
* Hot weather

Question 17

What is keloid scarring?

Answer 17

• Caused by an overproduction of collagen during wound healing
• Not harmful but may create cosmetic concerns

Question 18

What is exudate?

Answer 18

• Consists of fluid and leukocytes delivered to the wound by the circulatory system in wound healing.
• Increased exudate can be a sign of wound infection
• There are 4 types:
  
  • Serous
  • Sanguineous
  • Serosanguineous
  • Purulent

Question 19

What is ischemia?

Answer 19

• Decrease in blood supply to tissues leading to a decrease in oxygen and nutrients to the affected area
• Shortage of blood and oxygen can lead to serious consequences on the affected tissues which can eventually become necrotic