Page |1
NU 325 Exam 2 Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
1) Why is a skin assessment important? What general information
about the body as a whole is obtained through a skin assessment?
Know important issues to ask when taking a history about the skin.
Ans: - You can gather clues about health problems through the
skin.
- Information about body's circulation, nutrition & signs of
systemic disease.
- Past history of skin disease, change in pigmentation/color,
change in mole size/shape/color/exnderness, dryness/moisture,
pruritus, bruising, rash/lesion, hair loss, change in nails, etc &
Rx medications
Pallor
Ans: - Extreme or unusual paleness; skin takes color of
connective tissue (collagen); common in anxiety or fear.
- Observe in mucous membranes, lips & nail beds
Erythema
Ans: - Intense redness from excess blood from dilated
superficial capillaries
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
- Expected with fever, local inflammation or emotional
reactions in vascular flush areas
Cyanosis
Ans: - Bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor
circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
- Best seen in lips, nose, cheeks, ears & oral mucous
membranes.
- Most conditions causing this also cause decreased
oxygenation of the brain
Jaundice
Ans: - Yellowing of skin; indicates rising amounts of bilirubin in
blood.
- First noted in junction of hard & soft palates in mouth and in
sclera of eye
Technique used to effectively assess skin temperature:
Ans: use backs of hand to palpate person; skin should be warm
and temperature should be bilaterally equal
Diaphoresis
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
Ans: - profuse sweating (perspiration) - accompanies increased
metabolic rate
- can indicate anxiety, pain or low BP
Dehydration
Ans: - A serious reduction in the body's water content
- dry mucous membranes, lips, decreased skin turgor
How to assess for skin turgor
Ans: - Infants: test mobility of skin over abdomen
- Adults: punch a large fold of skin on anterior of chest under
clavicle
- Can be affected by dehydration, extreme weight loss and age
Why is an infant more susceptible to dehydration?
Ans: - Higher body water content along with higher metabolic
rates
- They require greater volumes of water to maintain fluid
equilibrium
- Skin is thin, smooth & elastic therefor much more permeable
than an adult's
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
NU 325 Exam 2 Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
1) Why is a skin assessment important? What general information
about the body as a whole is obtained through a skin assessment?
Know important issues to ask when taking a history about the skin.
Ans: - You can gather clues about health problems through the
skin.
- Information about body's circulation, nutrition & signs of
systemic disease.
- Past history of skin disease, change in pigmentation/color,
change in mole size/shape/color/exnderness, dryness/moisture,
pruritus, bruising, rash/lesion, hair loss, change in nails, etc &
Rx medications
Pallor
Ans: - Extreme or unusual paleness; skin takes color of
connective tissue (collagen); common in anxiety or fear.
- Observe in mucous membranes, lips & nail beds
Erythema
Ans: - Intense redness from excess blood from dilated
superficial capillaries
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
- Expected with fever, local inflammation or emotional
reactions in vascular flush areas
Cyanosis
Ans: - Bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor
circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
- Best seen in lips, nose, cheeks, ears & oral mucous
membranes.
- Most conditions causing this also cause decreased
oxygenation of the brain
Jaundice
Ans: - Yellowing of skin; indicates rising amounts of bilirubin in
blood.
- First noted in junction of hard & soft palates in mouth and in
sclera of eye
Technique used to effectively assess skin temperature:
Ans: use backs of hand to palpate person; skin should be warm
and temperature should be bilaterally equal
Diaphoresis
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
Ans: - profuse sweating (perspiration) - accompanies increased
metabolic rate
- can indicate anxiety, pain or low BP
Dehydration
Ans: - A serious reduction in the body's water content
- dry mucous membranes, lips, decreased skin turgor
How to assess for skin turgor
Ans: - Infants: test mobility of skin over abdomen
- Adults: punch a large fold of skin on anterior of chest under
clavicle
- Can be affected by dehydration, extreme weight loss and age
Why is an infant more susceptible to dehydration?
Ans: - Higher body water content along with higher metabolic
rates
- They require greater volumes of water to maintain fluid
equilibrium
- Skin is thin, smooth & elastic therefor much more permeable
than an adult's
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
