List five things you need to do prior to beginning the assessment. - Answers 1. Review the client chart
2. Gather needed supplies
3. Announces presence to client
4. Ensures client privacy
5. Performs hand hygiene
What techniques are used for a skin assessment? - Answers Inspection and palpation
What do you inspect during a skin assessment? - Answers Color, texture, moisture, and integrity
What do you palpate for during a skin assessment? - Answers Texture, moisture temperature, mobility,
and turgor
What tools are needed in preparation for a skin assessment? - Answers Strong direct lighting, gloves,
penlight, and small centimeter ruler.
Epidermis - Answers The surface layer is a combination of dead cells on the outside and live cells on the
inside. It takes about a month for cells to move from the inner surface to the outer surface. This is a way
the skin constantly renews itself.
Dermis - Answers The middle layer is composed of connective tissue that is formed by a dense
combination of interconnecting collagen and elastic fibers. It contains blood vessels, hair follicles,
cutaneous nerve endings, sensory receptors, lymphatics, ans sebaceous and sweat glands.
Subcutaneous - Answers The innermost layer contains fatty tissue. This layer stores fat for energy and
provides insulation for even temperature control. It has a soft cushioning effect that protects the body
and gives the skin flexibility over the skeleton beneath.
List the functions of skin and nails. - Answers -Protect the inner body parts and organs
-Body temperature regulation through shivering and sweating
-Sensory perception of temperature, touch, and pain
-Excrete waste and toxic substances
-Produce vitamin D
Elasticity in the older adult. - Answers -Loses elasticity; skin folds and sags.
-Decreased skin turgor.
, Sweat and Sebaceous glands in the older adult. - Answers Decrease in number and function, leaving skin
dry.
Senile Purpura in the older adult. - Answers Discoloration due to increasing capillary fragility.
Skin breakdown due to multiple factors in the older adult. - Answers Cell replacement is slower and
wound healing is delayed.
Hair matrix in the older adult. - Answers Functioning melanocytes decrease, leading to gray fine hair.
Most important environmental risk factor for skin cancer. - Answers Exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation both from sun and tanning sources.
What are questions you can ask to gather subjective data health history questions? - Answers -Past
history of skin disease, allergies, hives, psoriasis, or eczema?
-Change in pigmentation or color, size, shape, tenderness?
-Excessive dryness or moisture?
-Pruritus or skin itching?
-Excessive bruising?
-Rash or lesions?
-Medications: prescription and over-the-counter?
-Hair loss?
-Change in nails' shape, color, or brittleness?
-Environmental or occupational hazards?
-Self-care behaviors?
What are questions you can ask aging adults to gather subjective data health history questions? -
Answers -What changes have you noticed in your skin in past few years?
-Any delay in wound healing?
-Any change in feet: toenails, bunions, wearing shoes?
-Falling: bruises, trauma?
-History of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease?
Melanoma in Whites is noted to be ___ times higher than in Blacks and ___ times higher than in
Hispanics. - Answers 20