NSG 3250
EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE
Unit 3 & 4
Adult Health Nursing
Galen College of Nursing
This document provides a focused study guide
It summarizes key concepts, lecture highlights, and
exam-relevant material to support efficient last-minute
review. The guide is structured to help students
reinforce understanding, identify weak areas, and
prepare confidently for the assessment.
, NSG 3250: EXAM 2 - Unit 3 & 4
UNIT 3
Integumentary
Functions of the Skin
Protection
Homeostasis
- Fluids
Temperature regulation
- Sweat when we’re hot, etc.
Sensory organ
- What do we feel through our skin? – heat, pain, cold temps, etc.
Vitamin synthesis – vitamin D (sun)
- Know about this, take notes from reading
Psychosocial
- Color, fluidity of color (variations), abnormalities
- What can occur on the skin that affects people psychosocially?
Acne, puberty, etc.
Psoriasis, etc.
Assessment of the Skin
Health Hx:
Demographic data – age
Socioeconomic status – what environment are they in? hygiene resources? skin
integrity influence from environment? should we educate?
Drug use – all drugs, prescriptions, corticosteroids, medication? illicit drugs – meth,
heroine, etc.
Allergies
Nutrition status
Family and genetic risk – what are they at risk for?
Current health problems – cardiovascular, circulatory issues, etc.
Physical Assessment:
Color
Abnormalities
Lesions; assess each lesion for…
A — asymmetry of shape
B — border irregularity
C — color variation
D — diameter >6 mm
E — evolving/changing features
1
, Documenting – need to state “present on admission” (for liability reasons) if seen during
INITIAL assessment, need to be thorough upon admission, turn them over, look at sacral
area, etc.
Look for signs of:
Edema
Moisture
Vascular changes
Integrity of skin
Pruritis & Urticaria
Pruritus (itching) - distressing condition caused by stimulation of itch-specific nerve
fibers triggered by physical or chemicals agents
o Conditions that increase itching
Dryness
Increased temp
Perspiration
Emotional stress
Urticaria - rash (hives) of white or red edematous papules or plaques of various sizes;
typically caused by allergens which release histamine into the skin
- Triggers include:
Drugs
Temp extremes
Foods
Infection – wound infections, etc.
Disease
Cancer
Insect bites
Treatment of Pruritis and Urticaria
- Removal of trigger
- Antihistamines
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
o No ETOH (alcohol) – cannot combine
o Cannot take pain medication and Benadryl all at once
Nail assessment
When checking cap refill, assess nail bed in general and how they “feel”
Dystrophic (abnormal-appearing) nails may occur with a serious systemic illness or local
skin disease involving the epidermal keratinocytes
Occupation can also have a significant impact on the condition of nails (chemical
exposure)
2
EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE
Unit 3 & 4
Adult Health Nursing
Galen College of Nursing
This document provides a focused study guide
It summarizes key concepts, lecture highlights, and
exam-relevant material to support efficient last-minute
review. The guide is structured to help students
reinforce understanding, identify weak areas, and
prepare confidently for the assessment.
, NSG 3250: EXAM 2 - Unit 3 & 4
UNIT 3
Integumentary
Functions of the Skin
Protection
Homeostasis
- Fluids
Temperature regulation
- Sweat when we’re hot, etc.
Sensory organ
- What do we feel through our skin? – heat, pain, cold temps, etc.
Vitamin synthesis – vitamin D (sun)
- Know about this, take notes from reading
Psychosocial
- Color, fluidity of color (variations), abnormalities
- What can occur on the skin that affects people psychosocially?
Acne, puberty, etc.
Psoriasis, etc.
Assessment of the Skin
Health Hx:
Demographic data – age
Socioeconomic status – what environment are they in? hygiene resources? skin
integrity influence from environment? should we educate?
Drug use – all drugs, prescriptions, corticosteroids, medication? illicit drugs – meth,
heroine, etc.
Allergies
Nutrition status
Family and genetic risk – what are they at risk for?
Current health problems – cardiovascular, circulatory issues, etc.
Physical Assessment:
Color
Abnormalities
Lesions; assess each lesion for…
A — asymmetry of shape
B — border irregularity
C — color variation
D — diameter >6 mm
E — evolving/changing features
1
, Documenting – need to state “present on admission” (for liability reasons) if seen during
INITIAL assessment, need to be thorough upon admission, turn them over, look at sacral
area, etc.
Look for signs of:
Edema
Moisture
Vascular changes
Integrity of skin
Pruritis & Urticaria
Pruritus (itching) - distressing condition caused by stimulation of itch-specific nerve
fibers triggered by physical or chemicals agents
o Conditions that increase itching
Dryness
Increased temp
Perspiration
Emotional stress
Urticaria - rash (hives) of white or red edematous papules or plaques of various sizes;
typically caused by allergens which release histamine into the skin
- Triggers include:
Drugs
Temp extremes
Foods
Infection – wound infections, etc.
Disease
Cancer
Insect bites
Treatment of Pruritis and Urticaria
- Removal of trigger
- Antihistamines
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
o No ETOH (alcohol) – cannot combine
o Cannot take pain medication and Benadryl all at once
Nail assessment
When checking cap refill, assess nail bed in general and how they “feel”
Dystrophic (abnormal-appearing) nails may occur with a serious systemic illness or local
skin disease involving the epidermal keratinocytes
Occupation can also have a significant impact on the condition of nails (chemical
exposure)
2
