NSG 530 Exam 2 Study Guide
Modules 3, 4 &5
Chapter 13: Integumentary Function
Overview of the Integumentary System
● Functions:
○ Protects the body from pathogen invasions
○ Regulates temperature
○ Senses environmental changes
○ Maintains water balance
● Components: ○ Skin
○ Nails
○ Hair
○ Mucous membranes
○ Glands
Skin Layers
1. Hypodermis:
○ Inner layer composed of fat
2. Dermis:
○ Middle connective tissue layer
○ Contains sweat and oil glands, blood vessels, and nerves
3. Epidermis:
○ Outer squamous epithelium
○ Contains melanin, a pigment that protects against UV radiation
Integumentary Conditions
, ● Common Issues: Impaired skin integrity and infections
Vascular Birthmarks
- arise from (1) blood vessels that have not formed correctly (e.g., vascular
malformations), (2) from vessels that are proliferating (e.g., vascular tumors,
such as hemangiomas), or (3) due to vessel dilation (e.g., nevus simplex).
● Hemangiomas:
○ Most are benign
● Port-Wine Stains:
○ Discolorations that resemble wine stains on the skin
Pigmented Birthmarks
- Consist of a cluster of pigment cells that cause color in the skin.
- These birthmarks can be many different colors, from tan to brown, gray to
black, or even blue.
-
● Moles: Monitor for changes as they can indicate malignancy
● Café au Lait Spots:
○ Common and usually harmless unless there are multiple large spots
● Mongolian Spots:
○ Flat, bluish-gray patches often found on the lower back or buttocks
Inflammatory Integumentary Disorders
1. Dermatitis:
○ Contact Dermatitis: Acute inflammatory reaction caused by direct
exposure to an irritant or allergen, causing redness, swelling, and pain
○ Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): Chronic inflammatory condition triggered by
allergens or immune dysfunction, characterized by red to brown skin
patches with cracked, scaly skin
2. Urticaria (Hives):
○ Caused by allergen or stress, leading to histamine release and itchy welts
3. Psoriasis:
○ Chronic condition causing rapid skin cell turnover, leading to thick, scaly
patches
○ May also cause psoriatic arthritis
Infectious Integumentary Disorders
, 1. Bacterial Infections:
○ Folliculitis: Infection of hair follicles causing tender, swollen areas
i. swollen pustules that form around hair follicles, often on the neck,
breasts, buttocks, and face.
ii. Pruritis (itchiness) may also be present.
○ Furuncles (Boils): Deep infections starting in hair follicles, developing into
large, painful masses
i. begin in the hair follicles and then spread into the surrounding
dermis.
ii. most commonly occur on the face, neck, axillae, groin, buttocks,
and back.
iii. starts as a firm, red, painful nodule that develops into a large,
painful mass, which frequently drains large amounts of purulent
exudate.
○ Impetigo: Highly contagious infection with honey-colored crusts
i. can occur without an apparent breach,
ii. typically arises from a break in the skin (especially from animal
bites, human bites, insect bites, and trauma). iii. spreads easily to
others by direct contact with skin or contaminated objects (e.g., eating
utensils, towels, clothing, and toys). iv. Lesions usually begin as small
vesicles that enlarge and rupture, forming a characteristic honey-
colored crust
○ Cellulitis: Deep skin infection causing swollen, warm, tender areas of
erythema
i. infection deep in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. ii. usually
results from a direct invasion of the pathogens through a break in the
skin, especially those breaches where contamination is likely (e.g.,
intravenous drug use and bites), or spreads from an existing skin
infection.
○ Necrotizing Fasciitis: Rare, serious infection that destroys skin, fat, muscle,
and other tissue
i. serious infection that is generally rare, although its incidence
rates are rising.
ii. 1 out of 4 people dx will die from the disease. iii. Also known as
“flesh-eating bacteria” iv. can aggressively destroy skin, fat,
muscle, and other tissue
v. typically involves a highly virulent strain of gram-positive group A
beta-hemolytic Streptococcus
Modules 3, 4 &5
Chapter 13: Integumentary Function
Overview of the Integumentary System
● Functions:
○ Protects the body from pathogen invasions
○ Regulates temperature
○ Senses environmental changes
○ Maintains water balance
● Components: ○ Skin
○ Nails
○ Hair
○ Mucous membranes
○ Glands
Skin Layers
1. Hypodermis:
○ Inner layer composed of fat
2. Dermis:
○ Middle connective tissue layer
○ Contains sweat and oil glands, blood vessels, and nerves
3. Epidermis:
○ Outer squamous epithelium
○ Contains melanin, a pigment that protects against UV radiation
Integumentary Conditions
, ● Common Issues: Impaired skin integrity and infections
Vascular Birthmarks
- arise from (1) blood vessels that have not formed correctly (e.g., vascular
malformations), (2) from vessels that are proliferating (e.g., vascular tumors,
such as hemangiomas), or (3) due to vessel dilation (e.g., nevus simplex).
● Hemangiomas:
○ Most are benign
● Port-Wine Stains:
○ Discolorations that resemble wine stains on the skin
Pigmented Birthmarks
- Consist of a cluster of pigment cells that cause color in the skin.
- These birthmarks can be many different colors, from tan to brown, gray to
black, or even blue.
-
● Moles: Monitor for changes as they can indicate malignancy
● Café au Lait Spots:
○ Common and usually harmless unless there are multiple large spots
● Mongolian Spots:
○ Flat, bluish-gray patches often found on the lower back or buttocks
Inflammatory Integumentary Disorders
1. Dermatitis:
○ Contact Dermatitis: Acute inflammatory reaction caused by direct
exposure to an irritant or allergen, causing redness, swelling, and pain
○ Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): Chronic inflammatory condition triggered by
allergens or immune dysfunction, characterized by red to brown skin
patches with cracked, scaly skin
2. Urticaria (Hives):
○ Caused by allergen or stress, leading to histamine release and itchy welts
3. Psoriasis:
○ Chronic condition causing rapid skin cell turnover, leading to thick, scaly
patches
○ May also cause psoriatic arthritis
Infectious Integumentary Disorders
, 1. Bacterial Infections:
○ Folliculitis: Infection of hair follicles causing tender, swollen areas
i. swollen pustules that form around hair follicles, often on the neck,
breasts, buttocks, and face.
ii. Pruritis (itchiness) may also be present.
○ Furuncles (Boils): Deep infections starting in hair follicles, developing into
large, painful masses
i. begin in the hair follicles and then spread into the surrounding
dermis.
ii. most commonly occur on the face, neck, axillae, groin, buttocks,
and back.
iii. starts as a firm, red, painful nodule that develops into a large,
painful mass, which frequently drains large amounts of purulent
exudate.
○ Impetigo: Highly contagious infection with honey-colored crusts
i. can occur without an apparent breach,
ii. typically arises from a break in the skin (especially from animal
bites, human bites, insect bites, and trauma). iii. spreads easily to
others by direct contact with skin or contaminated objects (e.g., eating
utensils, towels, clothing, and toys). iv. Lesions usually begin as small
vesicles that enlarge and rupture, forming a characteristic honey-
colored crust
○ Cellulitis: Deep skin infection causing swollen, warm, tender areas of
erythema
i. infection deep in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. ii. usually
results from a direct invasion of the pathogens through a break in the
skin, especially those breaches where contamination is likely (e.g.,
intravenous drug use and bites), or spreads from an existing skin
infection.
○ Necrotizing Fasciitis: Rare, serious infection that destroys skin, fat, muscle,
and other tissue
i. serious infection that is generally rare, although its incidence
rates are rising.
ii. 1 out of 4 people dx will die from the disease. iii. Also known as
“flesh-eating bacteria” iv. can aggressively destroy skin, fat,
muscle, and other tissue
v. typically involves a highly virulent strain of gram-positive group A
beta-hemolytic Streptococcus
