Unit 14: The Skin Flashcards
(15 cards)
What can cause skin colour, condition and temperature to change?
Drop in blood pressure, blood vessels near the skin contracting, heat, cold, drugs and disease
Skin Colour: Normal:
Pink (IN LIGHT SKINNED PEOPLE) In darker skinned people, check lips, nail beds, palms, under eyelids
Skin Colour: Abnormal: Pale
Colour is a result of constricted blood vessels, caused by shock, hypertension, cancer, frostbite, heart disease or diabetes
Skin Colour: Abnormal: Cyanotic
Blue-gray colour, possibly caused by lung disease, asthma, heart disease, drug overdose, shock, hypothermia
Skin Colour: Abnormal: Flushed
Red colouration can be caused by exposure to heat, fever, allergic reaction, emotional excitement or carbon monoxide posioning.
Skin Colour: Abnormal: Jaundiced
Yellow colouration can be caused by liver disease and alcohol abuse
Skin Colour: Abnormal: Mottled:
Blotchy skin colouration can be caused by bleeding, bruising or severe infections
Skin Temperature/condition: Cool and Clammy:
caused by shock, heart attack, low blood sugar, anxiety
Skin Temperature/condition: Cold and Dry
caused by exposure to cold temperatures
Skin Temperature/condition: Hot and dry:
caused by fever, heat exposure, burns
Skin Temperature/condition: Hot and moist
caused by fever, infection and burns
What are two ways to take a temperature?
Take forehead temperature using the back of your hand, or using a thermometre
What is a normal body temperature range?
36.5 - 37.2 Celsius
When does a body temperature become a fever?
38 Celsius and higher
How do you document your findings?
Note your findings on the 24hr clock, note skin colour/condition and temperature
ex: 0845hrs - pink, warm and dry, 37.0 celsius
