Chapter 9 - Assessment: Skin, Hair, and Nails

Which questions are appropriate to ask a patient when performing a symptom analysis for a rash? Select all that apply. a. "When did the rash first start?" b. "Do you have a family history of rashes?" c. "What makes the rash worse?" d. "What do you do to make your rash better?" e. "Describe the sensation from the rash, does it burn or itch?" f. "Describe what the rash looked like initially."

A, C, D, E, F

What findings does the nurse expect when assessing skin, hair, and nails of a healthy male adult? Select all that apply. a. Transverse depression noticed across nails b. Scalp is bald c. Elevated, firm, circumscribed area less than 1 cm wide found on the fingers d. Purpura and ecchymosis are noticed on arms and legs e. Freckles are noted on face, back, arms, and legs f. Skin turgor is elastic

B, E, F

What signs of cyanosis does a nurse inspect for in a dark-skinned patient? a. Ashen-gray color of the oral mucous membranes b. Blue color in the nail beds c. Ashen-blue color in the palms and soles d. Blue-gray color in the ear lobes and lips

a. Ashen-gray color of the oral mucous membranes

A nurse notices several reddish purple, nonblanchable spots of different sizes on the arms and legs of a patient with a low platelet count. How does the nurse distinguish ecchymosis from purpura? a. Ecchymosis is variable in size and a purpura is greater than 0.5 cm in diameter. b. Ecchymosis does not blanch and purpura does blanch. c. Ecchymosis has raised lesions and purpura has flat lesions. d. Ecchymosis is irregularly shaped and purpura is round.

a. Ecchymosis is variable in size and a purpura is greater than 0.5 cm in diameter.

While giving a history, a patient reports itching arms, legs, and chest after using a new soap. What manifestations does the nurse expect to find on the arms, legs, and chest when inspecting this patient's skin? a. Elevated irregularly shaped areas of edema of variable diameter b. Elevated, firm, and rough lesions with flat surface greater than 1 cm in diameter c. Elevated circumscribed superficial lesions less than 1 cm in diameter filled with serous fluid d. Elevated, firm circumscribed areas less than 1 cm in diameter

a. Elevated irregularly shaped areas of edema of variable diameter

A patient with darkly pigmented skin has been admitted to the hospital with hepatitis in this patient. What is the best way for the nurse to assess for jaundice in this patient? a. Jaundice is best seen in the sclera b. In dark-skinned persons, jaundice is a darkening of genitalia c. Jaundice is best determined by blanching the fingernails d. Jaundice cannot be assessed in patients with darkly pigmented skin

a. Jaundice is best seen in the sclera

A nurse notes that a 2-year-old child has multiple bruises over his body at different stages of healing. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse at this time? a. Obtain further data now to rule out abuse. b. Remind parents that toddlers are clumsy and may fall, causing bruising. c. Determine if this toddler has a coagulation disorder. d. Recommend further observation at future visits.

a. Obtain further data now to rule out abuse.

A nurse notices a patient's nails are thin and depressed with the edges turned up. What additional abnormal data should the nurse expect to find on this patient? a. Pale conjunctiva b. Jaundice c. Ecchymosis d. Rashes

a. Pale conjunctiva

When the patient's chart includes a notation that petechiae are present, what finding does a nurse expect during inspection? a. Purplish-red pinpoint lesions b. Deep purplish or red patches of skin c. Small raised fluid-filled pinkish nodules d. Generalized reddish discoloration of an area of skin

a. Purplish-red pinpoint lesions

A patient has come to the clinic complaining of a "bump" behind his right ear. Upon inspection, the nurse notes a lesion that is elevated, solid, and 4 cm in diameter. What does the nurse call this lesion when she reports her findings to the health care provider? a. Tumor b. Nodule c. Keloid d. Papule

a. Tumor

A patient has multiple solid, red, raised lesions on her legs and groin that she describes as "itchy insect bites." How does the nurse document these lesions? a. Wheals b. Bullae c. Tumors d. Plaques

a. Wheals

A patient asks the nurse if it is possible to grow new skin. What is the nurse's most appropriate response? a. "Even if new skin growth is required, the melanocytes do not regenerate." b. "The avascular epidermis sheds slowly and is replaced completely every 4 weeks." c. "The outer layer of skin remains the same over the lifetime except for repairing injuries." d. "Epidermal regeneration is impossible because it is avascular."

b. "The avascular epidermis sheds slowly and is replaced completely every 4 weeks."

The nurse observes multiple red circular lesions with clearing that are scattered all over the abdomen and thorax. How does the nurse document the shape and pattern of these lesions? a. Gyrate and linear b. Annular and generalized c. Iris and discrete d. Oval and clustered

b. Annular and generalized

A nurse notices multiple lesions on the back of a patient's left hand that are 0.5 cm in width, elevated, circumscribed, and filled with serous fluid. How does the nurse document these lesions? a. As multiple macules on the dorsum of the left hand b. As multiple vesicles on the dorsum of the left hand c. As several patches on the left hand d. As several bullae on the dorsum of the left hand

b. As multiple vesicles on the dorsum of the left hand

A nurse is inspecting the skin of a patient who has had skin problems after multiple piercings. How will the nurse recognize the characteristics of keloids? a. Roughened and thickened scales involving flexor surfaces b. Hypertrophic scarring extending beyond the original wound edges c. Thin, fibrous tissue replacing normal skin following injury d. Loss of the epidermal layer, creating a hollowed-out or crusted area

b. Hypertrophic scarring extending beyond the original wound edges

A patient expresses concern that a new lesion may be melanoma. Which finding suggests a malignant melanoma? a. Nonblanching lesion b. Irregular border c. Diameter less than 5 mm d. Black color of the lesion

b. Irregular border

A nurse is performing an admission physical examination on a patient who has been bedridden for a month. The nurse notices a pressure ulcer on the patient's left trochanter area that involves partial-thickness skin loss with damage to the subcutaneous tissue. The nurse reports this ulcer at what stage? a. Stage I b. Stage II c. Stage III d. Stage IV

b. Stage II

A nurse notices that the angle of the patient's proximal nail fold and the nail plate are almost a flat line; about 160 degrees. How does the nurse interpret this finding? a. This patient has chronic pulmonary disease. b. This is an expected finding. c. This is due to stress to the nails. d. This is associated with anemia.

b. This is an expected finding.

During a health fair, which recommendation is appropriate as a primary prevention measure to reduce the risk for skin cancer? a. Use a tanning booth instead of sunning outside if a tan is desired. b. Wear protective clothing while in the sun. c. Perform self-examination of skin monthly. d. Use sunscreen with a sun protection except on overcast days.

b. Wear protective clothing while in the sun.

A nurse assessing a patient with liver disease expects to find which manifestation during the examination? a. Yellowish color in the axilla and groin b. Yellow pigmentation in the sclera c. Very pale skin on the palms d. Ashen-gray color in the oral mucous membranes

b. Yellow pigmentation in the sclera

A 48-year-old woman asks the nurse how to best protect herself from excessive sun exposure while at the beach. Which response would be most appropriate? a. "Limit your time in the sun to 5 minutes every hour." b. "Wear a wet suit that covers your arms and legs." c. "Apply a waterproof sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) to exposed skin surfaces; reapply at least every 2 hours." d. "Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 50 to all skin surfaces before leaving for the beach; this will provide all-day-coverage."

c. "Apply a waterproof sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) to exposed skin surfaces; reapply at least every 2 hours."

During inspection of a patient's upper back, the nurse notices three small, elevated superficial lesions filled with purulent fluid. How does the nurse document this finding? a. As three cysts on the upper back b. As several bullae on the back c. As three pustules on the upper back d. As three wheals on the upper back

c. As three pustules on the upper back

As a nurse is inspecting the nails of a patient with chronic hypoxemia and notices enlargements of the ends of the fingers and angles of the nail base greater than a straight line (exceeding 180 degrees). How does the nurse document these findings? a. An expected finding b. Koilonychia (spoon nail) c. Clubbing d. Leukonychia

c. Clubbing

A patient reports the mole on the scalp has started itching and it bleeds when scratching it. What other finding is a danger sign for pigmented skin lesions? a. Symmetry of the lesion b. Rounded border c. Color variation d. Size less than 6 mm wide

c. Color variation

A patient has edema and redness of the skin surrounding the nail on his right index finger. Which data elicited from his history best explains this condition? a. He has a family history of liver disease b. There has been a scabies outbreak among his family members c. He has a new full-time position as a dishwasher at a local restaurant d. He had several warts removed from his hand 2 years ago

c. He has a new full-time position as a dishwasher at a local restaurant

How does the nurse recognize jaundice in a dark-skinned patient? a. Inspect the conjunctiva for ashen-gray color. b. Inspect the nail beds for a deeper brown or purple skin tone. c. Inspect the palms and soles for yellowish-green color. d. Inspect the oral mucous membrane for yellow color.

c. Inspect the palms and soles for yellowish-green color.

What findings does a nurse expect when inspecting and palpating a patient's nails? a. A nail base angle of not more than 90 degrees b. Whitish to clear nails in darker-skinned patients c. Nail surface is smooth and rounded d. Transverse depression running across the nails

c. Nail surface is smooth and rounded

While inspecting the skin, a nurse notices a lesion on the patient's upper right arm. What is the best way to document the size of this lesion? a. Compare its size to the size of a coin. b. Estimate its size to the nearest inch. c. Use a centimeter ruler to measure the lesion. d. Trace the lesion onto a piece of paper.

c. Use a centimeter ruler to measure the lesion.

A nurse notices multiple lesions on a patient's left hand that are 0.5 cm in width, elevated, circumscribed, and filled with serous fluid. What kind of primary lesions are these? a. Macules b. Patches c. Vesicles d. Bullae

c. Vesicles

A 45-year-old woman tells the nurse she is distressed by the presence of dark, coarse hair on her face that has recently developed. What is the nurse's most appropriate response to this patient? a. "This is simple vellus hair and it will decrease in amount over time." b. "Some women in your cultural group normally have dark hair on their faces." c. "This is unusual; female hair distribution should be limited to arms, legs, and pubis." d. "Coarse dark hair could result from hormonal changes such as from menopause."

d. "Coarse dark hair could result from hormonal changes such as from menopause."

A patient complains of itching on her feet. On inspection the nurse observes weeping vesicles and skin that is softened and broken down between the toes. What explanation does the nurse give the patient about the cause of this skin disorder? a. "Your itching is caused by a bacterial infection." b. "Your itching is caused by an allergic reaction." c. "Your itching is caused by a viral infection." d. "Your itching is caused by a fungal infection."

d. "Your itching is caused by a fungal infection."

A patient is visiting an urgent care center after being hit in the back with a baseball. Upon examination, the nurse notes a flat, nonblanchable spot 2.25 cm wide that is reddish-purple in color. How does the nurse document this lesion? a. As an angioma b. As purpura c. As petechiae d. As ecchymosis

d. As ecchymosis

A toddler patient has a small, slightly raised bright red area on the trunk. The child's mother reports that the lesion has been present since birth and has become a little larger. What type of lesion does the nurse suspect? a. Vascular nevi b. Purpura c. Ecchymosis d. Cherry hemangioma

d. Cherry hemangioma Cherry hemangioma is a benign tumor consisting of a mass of small blood vessels and can vary in size. These are typically small, slightly raised lesions that are bright red in color appearing on the face, neck and trunk of the body. These lesions increase in size with age.

During shift report, a nurse learns that a patient has a macular rash. As the nurse inspects the patient's skin, what finding will confirm the rash? a. Elevated, firm, well-defined lesions less than 1 cm in diameter b. Depressed, firm, or scaly, rough lesions greater than 1 cm in diameter c. Elevated, fluid-filled lesions less than 1 cm in diameter d. Flat, well-defined, small lesions less than 1 cm in diameter

d. Flat, well-defined, small lesions less than 1 cm in diameter

Which disorder is an example of a vascular lesion? a. Dermatofibroma b. Vitiligo c. Sebaceous cyst d. Port wine stain

d. Port wine stain

When performing a skin assessment of an adult patient, the nurse expects what finding? a. Reddened area does not blanch when gentle pressure is applied b. Indentation of the finger remains in the skin after palpation c. Flaking or scaling of the skin d. Return of skin to its original position when pinched up slightly

d. Return of skin to its original position when pinched up slightly

When examining a 16-year-old male patient, the nurse notes multiple pustules and comedones on the face. The nurse recognizes that increased activity of which cells or glands produce these manifestations? a. Epidermal cells b. Eccrine glands c. Epocrine glands d. Sebaceous glands

d. Sebaceous glands

A 60-year-old male patient states that he has a sore above his lip that has not healed and is getting bigger. The nurse observes a red scaly patch with an ulcerated center and sharp margins. These findings are commonly associated with which malignancy? a. Kaposi's sarcoma b. Malignant melanoma c. Basal cell carcinoma d. Squamous cell carcinoma

d. Squamous cell carcinoma