Structure of the Skin Flashcards
Integumentary system: skin, hair, nails,
⬤ Sweat, and sebaceous glands
- Two main layers:
Epidermis (stratum corneum)
Stratified epithelial tissue; melanocytes, which
determine skin color; does not contain blood vessels
Dermis (corium)
Dense connective tissue
Strong and elastic
Blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, fibroblast,
glands
Hair and nails—dead keratin with no blood supply
or nerve endings
Mucous Membranes
Not strictly part of the integumentary system
Line cavities or passageways of the body that
open to the outside
Made up of epithelial tissue over a deeper layer of
connective tissue
Protect against bacterial invasion
Secrete mucus
Absorb fluids and electrolytes
Functions of the Skin
Protection
First line of defense against bacteria and other
organisms; protects against thermal, chemical, and
mechanical injury
Sebaceous glands make the skin waterproof; secrete
and produce sebum.
⬤ Sensation
Contains sensory organs for touch, pain, heat, and cold
⬤ Temperature regulation
Regulates temperature by constricting or dilating blood
vessels and activating or inactivating sweat glands
⬤ Excretion and secretion
Sweat glands help maintain the homeostasis of fluids and
electrolytes
Sweat glands: organs of excretion, secrete nitrogenous
waste
Sweat glands in axillae and external genitalia secrete fatty
acids and proteins
Sebum lubricates the skin and hair; protect the skin from
drying out.
Sebum keeps structures pliable and elastic
Sebum decreases heat loss
Sebum decreases bacterial growth
Skin Changes Occurring with Aging
Loss of elastic fibers causes skin to wrinkle and
sag
⬤ Skin becomes thinner, fragile, and slower to
heal
⬤ Decreased sebaceous activity leaves skin dry
and itchy; temperature control is altered by
decreased sebaceous gland activity and thinner
skin
⬤ Hair becomes thinner, grows more slowly, and
loses its color from loss of melanocytes
Assessment (Data Collection):
Hygiene/Pressure Injury Risk
Proper care of the skin, hair, teeth, and nails
protecting the body from infection and disease
Factors affecting hygiene practices
- Socioeconomic background
- Economic status
- Knowledge level
- Ability to perform self-care
- Personal preferences
- Self-care abilities
- Cultural differences
Skin Assessment: The Bath
Opportunity for assessment
Condition of patient’s skin
Overall physical appearance
Emotional status
Mental status
Learning needs
Skin and Pressure Injuries
❖ A pressure injury is an injury that forms from
a local interference with circulation.
❖ Pressure injury is the new terminology.
❖ Pressure ulcer, decubitus ulcer, and bedsore
the same as pressure injury.
❖ Skin integrity is impaired due to prolonged
and unrelieved pressure.
Risk Factors for Pressure Injuries***
Immobility
❖ Incontinence (fecal or urine)
❖ Inadequate nutrition
❖ Lowered mental awareness
❖ Excessive diaphoresis
❖ Extreme age
❖ Edema
❖ Hospice setting, acutely ill, critical care
setting
❖ Spinal cord injuries, fractured hip.
Skin Assessment for Pressure Injuries
⬤ Perform a skin assessment for pressure injury
risk on admission
Braden Scale for predicting pressure sore risk
Pay attention to the skin over bony prominences
⬤ Check pressure areas when turning and
repositioning your patient.
⬤ Check and turn every 2 hours.
Stages of Pressure Injuries
Stage 1: area of reddened skin that does not
blanch when touched
Discoloration in people with dark skin; warmth,
edema, or induration may be present.
Example: Sunburn
⬤ Stage 2: partial-thickness skin loss
May look like an abrasion, blister, or shallow
crater; surrounding skin may feel warmer.
Stages of Pressure Injuries
Stage 3: full-thickness skin loss
Looks like a deep crater; may extend into the
fascia; subcutaneous tissue damaged or
necrotic.***
⬤ Stage 4: full-thickness skin loss with
extensive tissue necrosis or damage to
muscle or supporting structures
May appear dry and black.***
