Integumentary System Quiz

Integumentary System (HCAP 1210)

• The integumentary system is the body's largest system.
• It consists of two layers: the epidermis (outer) and dermis (inner).
• The system serves as a protective barrier, preventing microorganisms and other substances from entering the body.
• It helps regulate body temperature through perspiration.
• Nerve endings in the skin allow for the sensation of pleasant and unpleasant stimuli.
• Skin color can indicate a physical condition.

Physical Changes with Aging

• Skin becomes dry, fragile, and easily injured.
• Skin loses strength and elasticity, becoming thinner and sagging.
• Skin becomes itchy.
• Brown spots appear on wrists and hands.
• Nails become thicker and tougher.
• Hair whitens or greys and thins.
• Facial hair may increase in some women.
• Blood vessels and nerve endings decrease in number.
• Fatty tissue layer is lost.

Integumentary Disorders

• Hives (urticaria)
  • Relativel common allergic reaction.
  • Causes raised red skin welts (wheals).
  • Wheals vary in size from a few millimeters to larger.
  • Potential causes include allergies (shellfish, drugs)
• Dermatitis
  • Inflammation of the skin caused by irritant or allergy.
  • Contact dermatitis (allergic response to material like chemicals).
  • Irritant dermatitis (reaction to chemicals in soaps).
• Eczema
  • Inflammatory skin condition varying in presentation per person.
  • Characterized by dry, red, and extremely itchy patches of skin.
  • Can involve papular or vesicular lesions (raised bumps or fluid-filled blisters)
• Shingles
  • Viral infection by herpes varicella-zoster virus.
  • Causes painful rash of raised blisters that can appear anywhere on the body.
  • Blister outbreak typically lasts 2 weeks.
  • Often accompanied by debilitating pain, itching, and tingling.
• Scabies
  • Highly contagious skin infection caused by a mite.
  • Mites burrow under the skin and lay eggs causing intense itching.
  • Transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.
  • Contagious for at least a month.
• Psoriasis
  • Persistent skin disorder causing red scaly plaques (patches) on the skin.
  • Patches can appear anywhere on the body.
  • Areas of excessive skin accumulation that are inflamed.
  • Cause is not fully understood; stress and alcohol can worsen the rash.
• Boil (furuncle)
  • Skin disorder caused by infection of hair follicles usually by Staphylococcus bacteria.
  • Boils appear as painful, red, pus-filled lumps.
  • Commonly found on the back, underarms, shoulders, thighs, and buttocks.
• Cyst
  • Abnormal, closed sac that can develop anywhere on the body.
  • Contains air, fluids, or semi-solid material and has a distinct membrane.
  • Will remain in the tissue unless removed surgically or by medication.
• Impetigo
  • Contagious skin disorder caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria.
  • Infected area forms crusts that drain and spread bacteria.
  • Spread by client scratching the area and touching other parts of the body.
• Skin Tag
  • Small flap of flesh-colored skin that looks like a droplet or tag.
  • Not painful, Most common in women and older adults.
• Athletes Foot
  • Highly contagious fungal skin infection.
  • Affected foot peels, burns, itches, and turns red.
  • Easily spread through contact.
• Skin Cancer
  • Malignant growths on the skin usually presenting in epidermis.
  • Easily visible.
  • Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common types.
  • Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type and can be fatal if not treated early.

Wound Care

• Skin is the body's first line of defense against infection.
• Preventing skin injury is crucial to prevent breakdown.
• Wounds are breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, and infection is a major concern.
• Wound care involves: infection prevention; preventing further injury; preventing blood loss; preventing pain.

Skin Tear

• A skin tear is a break or rip in the skin's epidermis.
• Common locations are hands, arms, and lower legs.
• Causes:
  • Friction and shearing
  • Pulling or pressure
  • Bumping against a hard surface
  • Tightly holding a limb
  • Repositioning, bathing, dressing
  • Pulling buttons/zippers
• Risk factors: elderly; frail skin; poor nutrition; impaired mobility; hydration issues; altered mental status.
• Important to report tears or injuries; careful handling and assessment is needed to prevent further injury.

Pressure Ulcers

• Decubitus ulcers, bed sores.
• Injury caused by unrelieved pressure on skin and underlying tissues.
• Often develop over bony prominences (shoulders, hips, heels).
• Risk factors: pressure, shearing, friction; breaks in skin; poor circulation to an area; moisture; dry, flaky skin; irritation by urine and feces; immobility, poor nutrition, altered mental status, diabetes, vascular disease.
• Clients at risk for pressure ulcers: confined to bed or chair; require help in moving; bowel/bladder issues; poor nutrition; altered mental status; circulatory problems; elderly; obese/very thin individuals
• Stages of Pressure Ulcers (I-IV) characterized by increasing tissue damage. Stage I is non-blanchable redness; Stage IV is exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.

Complications of Wounds

• Infection can occur at any time (signs: tenderness, drainage, fever)
• Dehiscence: separation of wound layers
• Evisceration: protrusion of abdominal organs with wound separation.
• Hemorrhage (excessive blood loss internally or externally): (signs: shock, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, loss of consciousness.)
• Shock (not enough blood supply): (signs: low blood pressure, rapid/weak pulse, pale/moist/cold skin)

Wound Drainage

• Serous: clear, watery fluid.
• Sanguineous: bloody fluid
• Serosanguineous: thin, blood-tinged fluid.
• Purulent: thick, yellow or green (or brown) fluids; likely foul-smelling. The type of drainage can indicate the cause of the wound.

Treatment Options (for Leg & Foot Ulcers)

• Follow care plans and procedures to limit skin breakdown.
• Carefully handle, move, and reposition clients.
• Ensure clients receive appropriate foot care.
• Medicated bandages, wound care products, and devices often prescribed by the doctor.
• Elastic bandages or stockings.

Protective Devices

• Special beds
• Bed cradles
• Elbow protectors
• Heel protectors
• Flotation pads/cushions
• Egg crate mattresses
• Pillows
• Trochanter rolls
• Footboards
• Used to prevent pressure ulcers and skin breakdown