integumentary assessment
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Integumentary Assessment
Kozier Ch 30
What are the Functions of the Integumentary System?
Functional Review
• Protector and barrier between internal organs and external environment
• Barrier against foreign body intrusions – against invading bacteria and foreign matter
• Transmits sensation – nerve receptors– allows for feelings of temperature, pain, light
touch and pressure
Skin Functions
• Regulates body temperature– regulates heat loss
• Helps regulate fluid balance – absorbs water – prevents excessive water & electrolyte loss. – Slow loss up to 600 ml daily by evaporation
• Immune Response Function– inflammatory process
Skin Functions
• Vitamin production – exposure to UV light allows for the conversion
of substances necessary for synthesizing vitamin D
– Necessary to prevent osteoporosis, rickets
Skin Assessment
• Visual inspection
• Palpation
• Olfactory senses
• Adequate lighting
• Remove necessary clothing while providing respect and privacy
• Appropriate client positions p.568
Visual inspectionSkin color:
• Palor
• Cyanosis
• Jaundice
• Erythema
• Hyperpigmentation
• Hypopigmentation – vitiligo
Visible changes if the Skin
• Changes in skin color texture – Eczema, infections
• Assess the vascularity & hydration of skin• Edema – swelling, pitting edema
1+ 2 mm 3+ 6 mm 2+ 4 mm 4+ 8 mm p.579
• Nails – configuration, consistency, color p.579
• Hair – color and distribution, aloplecia, location
Gerontology Considerations
Watch for significant changes in aging:• Decrease immunity functions• Susceptibility to infections• Poor nutrition• Decrease collagen production – loss of
subcutaneous• Thinning of epidermal skin layers• Increase skin problems
• Taking more medications• Excessive environmental exposure
• Dryness, wrinkling
• Uneven pigmentation
• Various proliferative lesions
Gerontology Considerations
Assessing light to dark skin
Description Light skin Dark skin
Cyanosis - bluish Bluish tinge Ashen gray
Pallor - paleness Loss of rosy glow Ashen gray (drk skin)
Yellowish brown (brown skin)
Erythema - redness Visible redness Diffused; rely on palpation of warmth or edema
Petechiae – small size pinpoint ecchyumosis
Purplish pinpoints
Usually invisible; check oral
Mucosa, conjunctiva, eyelids, conjunctiva covering eyeballs.
Assessing light to dark skin
Description Light skin Dark skin
Jaundice - yellow Yellow sclera, skin, fingernails, soles, palms, oral mucosa
Reliable on sclera, hard palate, palms and soles.
Ecchymosis – large diffused bluish black
Purplish to yellow-green
Difficult to see, check mouth or conjunctiva
Brown-Tan – cortisol deficiency, increased melanin production
Bronze; Tan to light brown
Easily masked.
Assessing Lesions
• Vary in size, shape and cause
• Primary vs. Secondary
• Erruptions: cysts, wheals, bullous, pustules, psoriasis, eczyma, vesicles, bullae, nodules, papules
• Discoloration: macules (café-au-lait),
Disorders Affecting the Skin
Skin Lesions p.755
• Etiology– Infections –herpes, impetigo, HIV, melanoma– Toxic chemicals: skin irritation– Physical trauma: burns, lacerations– Hereditary factors– External factors: allergens, contact dermitis– Systemic diseases: measles, lupus, nutritional
deficiency
Skin Lesions• Nursing Process Care:
– Assessment: descriptions; pt. history, causative factors
– Evaluation of skin – identify problem– Nursing Diagnosis – Interventions for skin care to promote healing
and prevent further injury– Pain management & comfort– Infection control– Nursing evaluation & reassessment
Systemic Skin Diseases: Skin Disorders in Diabetes
• Diabetes Dermapathy – shin spots, caused by break- down of small vessels that supply the skin.
• Stasis Dermatitis – compromises circulation to the distal extremities due to damage of larger vessels.
Problem: Injuries heal slow; increase risk for ulcerations; risk for skin infections
Fungal infections of the Skin
• Tinea Pedis (athlete’s foot)
• Tinea Corporis (ringworm of the body)
• Tinea Capitis (scalp ringworm)
• Tinea Cruris (ringworm of the groin)– Jock itch jock, common in diabetes.
• Tinea Unguium (ringworm of the nails)– onychomycosis
Parasitic Infections
• Pediculosis capitis - lice
• Pediculosis corporis/pubis
• Sarcoptes scabiei – scabies– Raised burrows found between fingers, wrists,
elbows, nipples, feet, groin, gluteal folds, penis, scrotum
– Poor hygienic living conditions– Increase; contagious– Secondary lesions: vesicles, papules, crust,
excoriations
Parasitic Infections– Appear 4 wks after exposure – Elderly patients from long term facilities– Lindane, crotamiton (Eurax), permethrin
Nursing Diagnosis
• Skin Impairment r/t:• GOAL:
– Protect the skin
– Prevent secondary infections
– Promote healing
Skin Care
Review of wound dressings
Wound Dressings
• Occlusive – airtight cover applied to skin lesions
• Wet –(obsolete) wet compresses applied on acute weeping, inflamed lesions
• Moisture-retentive –more efficient wet drsg for removing excudate: impregnated with saline, petrolatum, zinc-saline, hydrogel, antimicrobial agents. – Avoids maceration , less infections,
scarring & reduces pain.
Wound Dressings• Hydrogels – polymers with 90% water
content
– superficial wounds, abrasions, skin graft sites, draining venous ulcers
• Hydrocolloids –impermeable to water, O2
– Remain intact during bathing.
– Produce foul-smelling yellowish covering
– May leave on wound for 7 days
– Promote debridment & granulation tissue
Wound Dressings
• Foam – hydrophilic absorption and hydrophobic backing to prevent leaking of exudate– Nonadherent; require secondary dressing– Used over bony areas and weeping wounds
• Calcium alginates – absorbent fiber packing made from seaweed.– Absorbes exudate, best for macerated
wounds, packing deep wounds, sinus tracking, heavy drainage - nonadherent
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