Medical Surgical Nursing Integumentary Exam Question and Answers
Function of skin
Answer: protection, prevents penetration, perception, temperature regulation, identification,
communication, wound repair, absorption and excretion, production of vitamin D
Epidermis
Answer: The outer layer of skin that acts as a watertight protective covering. Dead Skin.
Dermis
Answer: Middle layer of skin that is composed of elastic fibers. Functions to provide strength,
mechanical support and to protect muscle, bone, and organs.
Nerve receptors produce feelings of heat, cold, pain, touch and pressure
have ceruminous glands produce sebum
Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)
Answer: Innermost layer of the skin. Composed of adipose tissue; functions as a site for storage, shock
absorber, insulates deep tissue, and anchors skin to underlying tissues.
Age related skin changes
Answer: -Delayed Healing: skin repairs proceed more slowly
-Epidermal and dermal thinning: slow repairs, decreased vitamin D production, reduced number of
Langerhans cells (sagging and wrinkling due to fiber loss)
-Increased risk of infection and sun damage
-Decreased vitamin D synthesis
-Decreased melanocyte activiey: pale skin and reduced tolerance for sun exposure
-Diminished blood supple: slow healing, and reduced ability to lose heat
-Decreased glandular acitivity: sweat glands tend to overheat
- Decreased skin turgor, wrinkling, fragility, dryness, roughness, vascular lesions.
Assessment: Objective Data
Answer: Color, pigmentation, bruising, vascularity, lesions, discolorations, unusually odor, temperature,
turgor, mobility, moisture, and texture.
Assessment: Subjective Data
Answer: Itching, burning, dry, irritated, pins and needles, pain scale, longevity, etiology.
Topical Medications
Answer: Lotions, creams, pastes, shampoos, and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin
and affect only that area; a medication delivery route. Slows the overactive epidermis without affecting
other tissues and cause sloughing of the rapidly growing epidermal cells.
Topical Corticosteroids
Answer: Used for inflammatory effects; often limited to twice a day for a four week period. Used to treat
dermatitis and psoriasis.
Systemic Steroids
, Answer: Not generally used for skin conditions because it could possibly provoke a flare-up. Possibly
used for hives. Can be used when topical measures are not effective.
Phototherapy
Answer: A therapy that involves repeated exposure to UV lights, which slows the rapid cell growth of
skin cells.
Cellulitis
Answer: Inflammation of subcutaneous, loose connective tissue; causes swelling; possible skin
infections.
Symptoms: Hot to touch, tender, erythematous, edematous areas with diffused borders, chills, malaise,
and fever.
Eczema
Answer: noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching.
Long term inflammation of the skin; hypersensitivity of the skin with hyperactivity inflammation and
hyperactivity
Psoriasis
Answer: A common skin disorder characterized by flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery
scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, or buttocks. Can be as little as a cosmetic annoyance, and
can severe enough to be physically disabling.
Sun Exposure
Answer: Major factor in precancerous and cancerous lesions such as: Actinic keratosis, Basal cell
carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, and Malignant melanoma.
Patient Teaching: Sunscreen with a minimum of 15 SPF, wearing hats, teaching on danger of burns on
overcast days and the dangers of tanning beds. Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm.
Skin Cancer Prevention: ABCDE rule.
Answer: A-Asymmetry
B-Border Irregularity
C-Color Change/Variation
D-Diameter more than 6mm
E-Evolving appearance
Actinic Keratosis
Answer: a precancerous skin growth that occurs on sun-damaged skin.
Malignant Melanoma
Answer: Most serious form of skin cancer; often characterized by black or dark brown patches on the
skin that may appear uneven in texture, jagged, or raised.
Risk Factors: Chronic UV exposure, tanning beds, fair skin and eyes, severe and frequent burns, genetic
factors, multiple and atypical moles.
Function of skin
Answer: protection, prevents penetration, perception, temperature regulation, identification,
communication, wound repair, absorption and excretion, production of vitamin D
Epidermis
Answer: The outer layer of skin that acts as a watertight protective covering. Dead Skin.
Dermis
Answer: Middle layer of skin that is composed of elastic fibers. Functions to provide strength,
mechanical support and to protect muscle, bone, and organs.
Nerve receptors produce feelings of heat, cold, pain, touch and pressure
have ceruminous glands produce sebum
Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)
Answer: Innermost layer of the skin. Composed of adipose tissue; functions as a site for storage, shock
absorber, insulates deep tissue, and anchors skin to underlying tissues.
Age related skin changes
Answer: -Delayed Healing: skin repairs proceed more slowly
-Epidermal and dermal thinning: slow repairs, decreased vitamin D production, reduced number of
Langerhans cells (sagging and wrinkling due to fiber loss)
-Increased risk of infection and sun damage
-Decreased vitamin D synthesis
-Decreased melanocyte activiey: pale skin and reduced tolerance for sun exposure
-Diminished blood supple: slow healing, and reduced ability to lose heat
-Decreased glandular acitivity: sweat glands tend to overheat
- Decreased skin turgor, wrinkling, fragility, dryness, roughness, vascular lesions.
Assessment: Objective Data
Answer: Color, pigmentation, bruising, vascularity, lesions, discolorations, unusually odor, temperature,
turgor, mobility, moisture, and texture.
Assessment: Subjective Data
Answer: Itching, burning, dry, irritated, pins and needles, pain scale, longevity, etiology.
Topical Medications
Answer: Lotions, creams, pastes, shampoos, and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin
and affect only that area; a medication delivery route. Slows the overactive epidermis without affecting
other tissues and cause sloughing of the rapidly growing epidermal cells.
Topical Corticosteroids
Answer: Used for inflammatory effects; often limited to twice a day for a four week period. Used to treat
dermatitis and psoriasis.
Systemic Steroids
, Answer: Not generally used for skin conditions because it could possibly provoke a flare-up. Possibly
used for hives. Can be used when topical measures are not effective.
Phototherapy
Answer: A therapy that involves repeated exposure to UV lights, which slows the rapid cell growth of
skin cells.
Cellulitis
Answer: Inflammation of subcutaneous, loose connective tissue; causes swelling; possible skin
infections.
Symptoms: Hot to touch, tender, erythematous, edematous areas with diffused borders, chills, malaise,
and fever.
Eczema
Answer: noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching.
Long term inflammation of the skin; hypersensitivity of the skin with hyperactivity inflammation and
hyperactivity
Psoriasis
Answer: A common skin disorder characterized by flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery
scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, or buttocks. Can be as little as a cosmetic annoyance, and
can severe enough to be physically disabling.
Sun Exposure
Answer: Major factor in precancerous and cancerous lesions such as: Actinic keratosis, Basal cell
carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, and Malignant melanoma.
Patient Teaching: Sunscreen with a minimum of 15 SPF, wearing hats, teaching on danger of burns on
overcast days and the dangers of tanning beds. Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm.
Skin Cancer Prevention: ABCDE rule.
Answer: A-Asymmetry
B-Border Irregularity
C-Color Change/Variation
D-Diameter more than 6mm
E-Evolving appearance
Actinic Keratosis
Answer: a precancerous skin growth that occurs on sun-damaged skin.
Malignant Melanoma
Answer: Most serious form of skin cancer; often characterized by black or dark brown patches on the
skin that may appear uneven in texture, jagged, or raised.
Risk Factors: Chronic UV exposure, tanning beds, fair skin and eyes, severe and frequent burns, genetic
factors, multiple and atypical moles.
