Deck 49: Assessment of Integumentary Function

Question 1

The nurse notes that a patient has longitudinal red lines in the finger nails.What health problem should the nurse suspect is causing this problem?

A) Lymphedema
B) Respiratory failure
C) Bacterial endocarditis
D) Inflammatory bowel disease

Answer 1

Bacterial endocarditis

Question 2

The nurse notes that a male patient is bald.What is the status of the hair follicles on the head of this patient?

A) Dead
B) In the resting phase
C) Awaiting keratinization
D) Pausing in the growth cycle

Answer 2

Dead

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient with a major burn on the right arm.Which function of the skin is most affected by this injury?

A) Sensation
B) Excretion
C) Protection
D) Metabolism

Answer 3

Protection

Question 4

The nurse notes that a patient has irregularly shaped areas on the skin that are rough and thick.What health problem should the nurse suspect is causing this patient's skin condition?

A) Eczema
B) Drug rash
C) Open vesicles
D) Chronic dermatitis

Question 5

The nurse notes that a patient with a skin rash has an elevated white blood cell count.What should this information suggest to the nurse?

A) An infection is present.
B) Protein status is questionable.
C) Infection is altering blood flow.
D) Infection has reached the blood stream.

Question 6

An older patient asks why a wound is taking so long to heal.What explanation should the nurse provide to this patient?

A) "There is less protein in the skin with aging."
B) "The tissue between the skin cells is weaker."
C) "The amount of blood flow to the skin is slower with aging."
D) "The number of immune cells in the skin reduces with aging."

Question 7

A patient recovering from a punch biopsy calls the community clinic because the site is red,warm,and painful.What should the nurse direct this patient to do?

A) Take an over-the-counter analgesic
B) Clean the site with hydrogen peroxide
C) Go immediately to the emergency department
D) Remove the dressing and flush with sterile saline

Question 8

The results of a patient's biopsy indicate a malignant growth.What should the nurse anticipate being prescribed for this patient?

A) Systemic medication
B) Additional diagnostic testing
C) Topical antibiotic medication
D) Surgical removal of the lesion

Question 9

A patient is concerned about hair loss.What should the nurse explain about the relationship between hair and the skin?

A) Hair follicles are anchored and protrude through the dermis.
B) Hair follicles are anchored and protrude through the epidermis.
C) Hair follicles are anchored in the dermis and protrude through the epidermis.
D) Hair follicles are anchored in the hypodermis and protrude through the dermis.

Question 10

The nurse instructs a patient on care required after a punch biopsy.Which patient statement indicates that teaching has been effective?

A) "I should avoid showering for several days."
B) "I should change the bandage on the site once a day."
C) "I should call the doctor if there is any blood on the dressing."
D) "I should call the doctor if the site is not healed in a few days."

Question 11

An older patient is experiencing dry skin that is itchy and burns.Which age-related change should the nurse consider is causing this patient's symptoms?

A) Xerosis
B) Eczema
C) Psoriasis
D) Herpes zoster

Question 12

The nurse notes that an older patient complains of always feeling cold.Which age-related change to the skin could be causing this in the patient?

A) Fewer protein stores
B) Decreased subcutaneous tissue
C) Reduced levels of immune cells
D) Slower blood flow to the skin layers

Question 13

The nurse notes that a patient's skin and hair are dry.Which function of the skin is most likely malfunctioning?

A) Sensation
B) Excretion
C) Protection
D) Metabolism

Question 14

An older patient has areas of psoriasis on the arms and legs.What should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

A) Topical steroids
B) Topical Benadryl
C) Lidocaine patches
D) Systemic antibiotics

Question 15

The nurse is preparing information on the integumentary system for a group of high school students.Which layer of the skin should the nurse explain that plays an initial role in immunity?

A) Dermis
B) Hypodermis
C) Innermost layer of the epidermis
D) Outermost layer of the epidermis

Question 16

A patient asks why it takes so long for fingernails to grow.How should the nurse respond to this patient?

A) "Nail growth speeds up as a person ages."
B) "Nails have a slow but continuous growth process."
C) "Slow nail growth is associated with vitamin deficiencies."
D) "This could mean you have an undiagnosed disease process."

Question 17

An older patient says that sunlight has always been avoided because of the risk for developing skin cancer.Which function of the skin has been most affected by this patient's practice?

A) Sensation
B) Protection
C) Vitamin D metabolism
D) Temperature regulation

Question 18

The nurse notes that a patient's fingertips are blue in color.What should this finding indicate to the nurse?

A) Anemia
B) Liver disease
C) Hemosiderin
D) Poor perfusion

Question 19

The nurse needs to send a specimen for a wound culture.What should the nurse do prior to obtaining the specimen?

A) Apply clean gloves
B) Flush the wound bed with sterile saline
C) Cleanse the wound with antimicrobial solution
D) Keep the wound open to air for several minutes

Question 20

A patient is suspected as having a fungal infection.What should the nurse have available during the evaluation of this skin area?

A) Sterile water
B) Potassium chloride
C) Sterile normal saline
D) Potassium hydroxide