NUR 631 LEARNING WORKBOOK 2026 PATIENT
ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC REASONING
SKILLS
◉ Functions of the Skin.
Answer: · Major function is to keep the body in homeostasis.
· Provides protection from microorganisms, harmful substances &
radiation
· Thermoregulation
· Maintains fluid balance
· Immunity
· Absorption
· Excretion
· Synthesis of Vitamin D
· Sensation/communication with the external environment
◉ Epidermis.
Answer: · Most superficial layer of skin
· Thin avascular, relies on the underlying vascularized dermis for
nutrition
· Composed of stratified squamous epithelium (flat, dead cells filled
with keratin, helps make our skin waterproof)
,· Composed of two layers: stratum corneum & stratum
basale/stratum spinosum
• The Stratum corneum is the outer horny layer composed of dead
keratinized cells.
• The inner cellular layer, is the stratum basale and the stratum
spinosum, also known as the malpighian layer, where both melanin
and keratin are formed. Migration from the inner to the outer layer
takes approximately 1 month."
◉ Dermis.
Answer: · 2nd layer, made up of richly vascularized connective tissue
· Contains blood vessels, hair follicles and sensory nerves
· Supports and separates the epidermis from the subcutaneous layer
· Dermal blood nourishes the epidermis
· Merges with adipose
· If you cut yourself and you notice that you are bleeding ten you
have got into the dermis layer
◉ Subcutaneous tissue.
Answer: · Hypodermis
· Composed of loose connective tissue filled with subcutaneous
(adipose cells, fatty cells)
,· Functions: 1. connects the dermis to underlying organs 2. generates
heat and provides insulation 3. protective cushion 4. provides
(reserve for) calories
◉ Skin Color.
Answer: · Depends on the amount & type of melanin (brownish
pigment, genetically determined and increases with exposure to
sun)
· Also influenced by:
• Vascular structures
• Changing hemodynamics (ex: pallor due to anemia, cyanosis due to
hypoxia)
• Changes in carotene & bilirubin
• Carotene a yellow pigment found in subcutaneous fat and
keratinized areas such as the palms & soles
• Bilirubin is a yellow/brown pigment due to the breakdown of
heme in red blood cells
◉ Hair.
Answer: · Adults have two types of hair:
• Vellus hair (short, fine, inconspicuous and unpigmented)
• Terminal hair (coarser, thicker, pigmented)
• Scalp hair and eyebrows are terminal hair
, ◉ Nails.
Answer: · Protect the ends of the fingers
· Base of the nail is the nail plate
· The nail plate gets its pink color from the vascularized nail bed
which it is attached to
· The white half moon is the lunula
· Cuticle functions as a protective seal
· Lateral nail folds cover the sides of the nail plate
· Fingernails grow approx 0.1mm daily (toenails grow slower)
· Another appendage of the skin.
· Cross section of the fingertip
◉ · Pilosebaceous.
Answer: • Oil glands that secrete a fatty substance onto the skin
surface through hair follicles
• On all skin surfaces except palms & soles
◉ · Sweat glands.
Answer: • Two types eccrine & apocrine
• Eccrine: widely distributed, open directly to the skin, help control
temperature
• Apocrine: in axilla and genital regions, open into hair follicles,
bacterial decomposition responsible for adult body odor.
ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC REASONING
SKILLS
◉ Functions of the Skin.
Answer: · Major function is to keep the body in homeostasis.
· Provides protection from microorganisms, harmful substances &
radiation
· Thermoregulation
· Maintains fluid balance
· Immunity
· Absorption
· Excretion
· Synthesis of Vitamin D
· Sensation/communication with the external environment
◉ Epidermis.
Answer: · Most superficial layer of skin
· Thin avascular, relies on the underlying vascularized dermis for
nutrition
· Composed of stratified squamous epithelium (flat, dead cells filled
with keratin, helps make our skin waterproof)
,· Composed of two layers: stratum corneum & stratum
basale/stratum spinosum
• The Stratum corneum is the outer horny layer composed of dead
keratinized cells.
• The inner cellular layer, is the stratum basale and the stratum
spinosum, also known as the malpighian layer, where both melanin
and keratin are formed. Migration from the inner to the outer layer
takes approximately 1 month."
◉ Dermis.
Answer: · 2nd layer, made up of richly vascularized connective tissue
· Contains blood vessels, hair follicles and sensory nerves
· Supports and separates the epidermis from the subcutaneous layer
· Dermal blood nourishes the epidermis
· Merges with adipose
· If you cut yourself and you notice that you are bleeding ten you
have got into the dermis layer
◉ Subcutaneous tissue.
Answer: · Hypodermis
· Composed of loose connective tissue filled with subcutaneous
(adipose cells, fatty cells)
,· Functions: 1. connects the dermis to underlying organs 2. generates
heat and provides insulation 3. protective cushion 4. provides
(reserve for) calories
◉ Skin Color.
Answer: · Depends on the amount & type of melanin (brownish
pigment, genetically determined and increases with exposure to
sun)
· Also influenced by:
• Vascular structures
• Changing hemodynamics (ex: pallor due to anemia, cyanosis due to
hypoxia)
• Changes in carotene & bilirubin
• Carotene a yellow pigment found in subcutaneous fat and
keratinized areas such as the palms & soles
• Bilirubin is a yellow/brown pigment due to the breakdown of
heme in red blood cells
◉ Hair.
Answer: · Adults have two types of hair:
• Vellus hair (short, fine, inconspicuous and unpigmented)
• Terminal hair (coarser, thicker, pigmented)
• Scalp hair and eyebrows are terminal hair
, ◉ Nails.
Answer: · Protect the ends of the fingers
· Base of the nail is the nail plate
· The nail plate gets its pink color from the vascularized nail bed
which it is attached to
· The white half moon is the lunula
· Cuticle functions as a protective seal
· Lateral nail folds cover the sides of the nail plate
· Fingernails grow approx 0.1mm daily (toenails grow slower)
· Another appendage of the skin.
· Cross section of the fingertip
◉ · Pilosebaceous.
Answer: • Oil glands that secrete a fatty substance onto the skin
surface through hair follicles
• On all skin surfaces except palms & soles
◉ · Sweat glands.
Answer: • Two types eccrine & apocrine
• Eccrine: widely distributed, open directly to the skin, help control
temperature
• Apocrine: in axilla and genital regions, open into hair follicles,
bacterial decomposition responsible for adult body odor.
