MS Exam 3 Study Guide Questions And Answers
With Rationale Latest Solution A+ Passed
1. A nurse is aware that the outer layer of the skin consists of dead cells that contain large amounts of
keratin. The physiologic functions of keratin include which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Producing antibodies
B) Absorbing electrolytes
C) Maintaining acidbase balance
D) Physically repelling pathogens
E) Preventing fluid loss - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: D,E
The dead cells of the epidermis contain large amounts of keratin, an insoluble, fibrous protein
that forms the outer barrier of the skin. Keratin has the capacity to repel pathogens and prevent
excessive fluid loss from the body. It does not contribute directly to antibody production, acid
base balance, or electrolyte levels.
2. When planning the skin care of a patient with decreased mobility, the nurse is aware of the varying
thickness of the epidermis. At what location is the epidermal layer thickest?
A) The scalp
B) The elbows
C) The palms of the hands
D) The knees - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: C
The epidermis is the thickest over the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
3. A young student is brought to the school nurse after falling off a swing. The nurse is documenting
that the child has bruising on the lateral aspect of the right arm. What term will the nurse use to
describe bruising on the skin in documentation?
A) Telangiectasias
B) Ecchymoses
C) Purpura
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, D) Urticaria - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
Telangiectasias consists of red marks on the skin caused by stretching of superficial blood
vessels. Ecchymoses are bruises, and purpura consists of pinpoint hemorrhages into the skin.
Urticariais wheals or hives.
4. The nurse in an ambulatory care center is admitting an older adult patient who has bright red moles
on the skin. Benign changes in elderly skin that appear as bright red moles are termed what?
A) Cherry angiomas
B) Solar lentigo
C) Seborrheickeratoses
D) Xanthelasma - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: A
Cherry angiomas appear as bright red moles, while solar lentigo are commonly called liver spots.
Seborrheickeratoses are described as crusty brown stuck on patches, while xanthelasma
appears as yellowish, waxy deposits on the upper eyelids.
5. While assessing a dark-skinned patient at the clinic, the nurse notes the presence of patchy, milky
white spots. The nurse knows that this finding is characteristic of what diagnosis?
A) Cyanosis
B) Addisons disease
C) Polycythemia
D) Vitiligo - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: D
With cyanosis, nail beds are dusky. With polycythemia, the nurse notes ruddy blue face, oral
mucosa, and conjunctiva. A bronzed appearance, or external tan, is associated with Addisons
disease. Vitiligo is a condition characterized by destruction of the melanocytes in circumscribed
areas of skin and appears in light or dark skin as patchy, milky white spots, often symmetric
bilaterally.
6. While waiting to see the physician, a patient shows the nurse skin areas that are flat, nonpalpable,
and have had a change of color. The nurse recognizes that the patient is demonstrating what?
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, A) Macules
B) Papules
C) Vesicles
D) Pustules - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: A
A macule is a flat, nonpalpable skin color change, while a papule is an elevated, solid, palpable
mass. A vesicle is a circumscribed, elevated, palpable mass containing serous fluid, while a
pustule is a pus-filled vesicle.
7. An African American is admitted to the medical unit with liver disease. To correctly assess this
patient for jaundice, on what body area should the nurse look for yellow discoloration?
A) Elbows
B) Lips
C) Nail beds
D) Sclerae - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: D
Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin, is directly related to elevations in serum bilirubin and is often
first observed in the sclerae and mucous membranes.
8. A nurse is doing a shift assessment on a group of patients after first taking report. An elderly patient
is having her second dose of IV antibiotics for a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse notices a new
rash on the patients chest. The nurse should ask what priority question regarding the presence of a
reddened rash?
A) Is the rash worse at a particular time or season?
B) Are you allergic to any foods or medication?
C) Are you having any loss of sensation in that area?
D) Is your rash painful? - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
The nurse should suspect an allergic reaction to the antibiotic therapy. Allergies can be a
significant threat to the patients immediate health, thus questions addressing this possibility
would be prioritized over those addressing sensation. Asking about previous rashes is important,
but this should likely be framed in the context of an allergy assessment.
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, 9. A gerontologic nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about integumentary changes that
occur in older adults. How should these students best integrate these changes into care planning?
A) By avoiding the use of moisturizing lotions on older adults skin
B) By protecting older adults against shearing injuries
C) By avoiding the use of ice packs to treat muscle pain
D) By protecting older adults against excessive sweat accumulation - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
Cellular changes associated with aging include thinning at the junction of the dermis and
epidermis, which creates a risk for shearing injuries. Moisturizing lotions can be safely used to
address the increased dryness of older adults skin. Ice packs can be used, provided skin is
assessed regularly and the patient possesses normal sensation. Older adults perspire much less
than younger adults, thus sweat accumulation is rarely an issue.
10. A patient is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and the physician orders Coumadin (warfarin). For what
skin lesion should the nurse monitor this patient?
A) Ulcer
B) Ecchymosis
C) Scar
D) Erosion - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
Ecchymosis refers to a round or irregular macular lesion, which is larger than petechiae. This
occurs secondary to blood extravasation. It is important to watch for ecchymosis in a patient
receiving any type of anticoagulant. An ulcer is an open lesion eroded into the patients flesh. A
scar is an area on the skin caused by the healing of an injury. Erosion is loss of superficial
epidermis that does not extend to the dermisa depressed, moist area.
11. A new patient has come to the dermatology clinic to be assessed for a reddened rash on his
abdomen. What diagnostic test would most likely be ordered to identify the causative allergen?
A) Skin scrapings
B) Skin biopsy
C) Patch testing
D) Tzanck smear - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: C
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With Rationale Latest Solution A+ Passed
1. A nurse is aware that the outer layer of the skin consists of dead cells that contain large amounts of
keratin. The physiologic functions of keratin include which of the following? Select all that apply.
A) Producing antibodies
B) Absorbing electrolytes
C) Maintaining acidbase balance
D) Physically repelling pathogens
E) Preventing fluid loss - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: D,E
The dead cells of the epidermis contain large amounts of keratin, an insoluble, fibrous protein
that forms the outer barrier of the skin. Keratin has the capacity to repel pathogens and prevent
excessive fluid loss from the body. It does not contribute directly to antibody production, acid
base balance, or electrolyte levels.
2. When planning the skin care of a patient with decreased mobility, the nurse is aware of the varying
thickness of the epidermis. At what location is the epidermal layer thickest?
A) The scalp
B) The elbows
C) The palms of the hands
D) The knees - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: C
The epidermis is the thickest over the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
3. A young student is brought to the school nurse after falling off a swing. The nurse is documenting
that the child has bruising on the lateral aspect of the right arm. What term will the nurse use to
describe bruising on the skin in documentation?
A) Telangiectasias
B) Ecchymoses
C) Purpura
© 1
, D) Urticaria - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
Telangiectasias consists of red marks on the skin caused by stretching of superficial blood
vessels. Ecchymoses are bruises, and purpura consists of pinpoint hemorrhages into the skin.
Urticariais wheals or hives.
4. The nurse in an ambulatory care center is admitting an older adult patient who has bright red moles
on the skin. Benign changes in elderly skin that appear as bright red moles are termed what?
A) Cherry angiomas
B) Solar lentigo
C) Seborrheickeratoses
D) Xanthelasma - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: A
Cherry angiomas appear as bright red moles, while solar lentigo are commonly called liver spots.
Seborrheickeratoses are described as crusty brown stuck on patches, while xanthelasma
appears as yellowish, waxy deposits on the upper eyelids.
5. While assessing a dark-skinned patient at the clinic, the nurse notes the presence of patchy, milky
white spots. The nurse knows that this finding is characteristic of what diagnosis?
A) Cyanosis
B) Addisons disease
C) Polycythemia
D) Vitiligo - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: D
With cyanosis, nail beds are dusky. With polycythemia, the nurse notes ruddy blue face, oral
mucosa, and conjunctiva. A bronzed appearance, or external tan, is associated with Addisons
disease. Vitiligo is a condition characterized by destruction of the melanocytes in circumscribed
areas of skin and appears in light or dark skin as patchy, milky white spots, often symmetric
bilaterally.
6. While waiting to see the physician, a patient shows the nurse skin areas that are flat, nonpalpable,
and have had a change of color. The nurse recognizes that the patient is demonstrating what?
© 2
, A) Macules
B) Papules
C) Vesicles
D) Pustules - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: A
A macule is a flat, nonpalpable skin color change, while a papule is an elevated, solid, palpable
mass. A vesicle is a circumscribed, elevated, palpable mass containing serous fluid, while a
pustule is a pus-filled vesicle.
7. An African American is admitted to the medical unit with liver disease. To correctly assess this
patient for jaundice, on what body area should the nurse look for yellow discoloration?
A) Elbows
B) Lips
C) Nail beds
D) Sclerae - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: D
Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin, is directly related to elevations in serum bilirubin and is often
first observed in the sclerae and mucous membranes.
8. A nurse is doing a shift assessment on a group of patients after first taking report. An elderly patient
is having her second dose of IV antibiotics for a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse notices a new
rash on the patients chest. The nurse should ask what priority question regarding the presence of a
reddened rash?
A) Is the rash worse at a particular time or season?
B) Are you allergic to any foods or medication?
C) Are you having any loss of sensation in that area?
D) Is your rash painful? - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
The nurse should suspect an allergic reaction to the antibiotic therapy. Allergies can be a
significant threat to the patients immediate health, thus questions addressing this possibility
would be prioritized over those addressing sensation. Asking about previous rashes is important,
but this should likely be framed in the context of an allergy assessment.
© 3
, 9. A gerontologic nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about integumentary changes that
occur in older adults. How should these students best integrate these changes into care planning?
A) By avoiding the use of moisturizing lotions on older adults skin
B) By protecting older adults against shearing injuries
C) By avoiding the use of ice packs to treat muscle pain
D) By protecting older adults against excessive sweat accumulation - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
Cellular changes associated with aging include thinning at the junction of the dermis and
epidermis, which creates a risk for shearing injuries. Moisturizing lotions can be safely used to
address the increased dryness of older adults skin. Ice packs can be used, provided skin is
assessed regularly and the patient possesses normal sensation. Older adults perspire much less
than younger adults, thus sweat accumulation is rarely an issue.
10. A patient is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and the physician orders Coumadin (warfarin). For what
skin lesion should the nurse monitor this patient?
A) Ulcer
B) Ecchymosis
C) Scar
D) Erosion - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: B
Ecchymosis refers to a round or irregular macular lesion, which is larger than petechiae. This
occurs secondary to blood extravasation. It is important to watch for ecchymosis in a patient
receiving any type of anticoagulant. An ulcer is an open lesion eroded into the patients flesh. A
scar is an area on the skin caused by the healing of an injury. Erosion is loss of superficial
epidermis that does not extend to the dermisa depressed, moist area.
11. A new patient has come to the dermatology clinic to be assessed for a reddened rash on his
abdomen. What diagnostic test would most likely be ordered to identify the causative allergen?
A) Skin scrapings
B) Skin biopsy
C) Patch testing
D) Tzanck smear - ANSWER ✔ - Ans: C
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