NU 518
EXAM 3
STUDY GUIDE
University of South Alabama.
This document provides a focused
study guide
It summarizes key concepts, lecture highlights, and
exam-relevant material to support efficient last-
minute review. The guide is structured to help
students reinforce understanding, identify weak areas, and
prepare confidently for the assessment.
, NU 518
Exam 3 Study Guide
Chapter 10 Skin, Hair, and Nails
Skin Color (pg. 282-283)
Influenced by amount of melanin, vascular structure, changing hemodynamics, carotene
and bilirubin
Melanin, brown pigment genetically determined and increased by exposure to sunlight
Pallor indicated anemia
Carotene, yellow pigment found in the subcutaneous fat and heavily keratinized areas
such as the palms and soles
Bilirubin, yellow-brown pigments arises from breakdown of heme in the red blood cells aka
jaundice
Cyanosis, blue color, decrease flow of oxygen in blood
Skin Lesions (pg.286-291 Table 10-1 Table 10-4)
Primary lesion – flat, raised or fluid filled
o Macule – circumscribed flat area of change in color of the skin <1cm in diameter
o Patch – circumscribed flat area of change in color of the skin >1cm in diameter
o Papule – small solid elevation of the skin <1cm in diameter
o Plaque – large flatter elevation of the skin
o Nodule – solid elevation of the skin >1cm in diameter that extends to skin deeper
layers
o Pustule – small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis filled with purulent fluid
o Vesicle – small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing clear fluid <1cm
in diameter
o Bulla – circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing clear fluid >1cm in
diameter
o Wheal – circumscribed raised lesion consisting of dermal edema and is also known
as hives. Lasts 24 hours
o Erosions – loss of epidermal or mucosal epithelium
o Ulcers – deeper loss of the epidermis and at least the upper dermis
o Petechia – nonblanchable punctate focci of hemorrhage
o Purpura – nonblanchable, raised and palpable
o Ecchymoses – nonblanchable, larger areas or purpura
Measure with ruler in mm or cm
Can be single or multiple
Distribution, refers to how the skin lesions are scattered or spread out
Configuration, shape of the single lesions and the arrangement of groups
Texture, smooth/scaly/fleshy
Color
Table 10-1 on page 308
Table 10-4 on page 313
Hair Loss (pg. 297-298 Table 10-8)
Start by examining the hair to determine the overall pattern of their loss, or thinning.
Inspect scalp. Look at the width of the hair part in various section of the scalp
Hair pull test – grasping 50-60 hair and firmly pull away from the scalp – if all have telogen
bulbs likely diagnosis is telogen effluvium
Fragility is performed with tug test – holding group of hairs and pulling shaft, hair breakage
is abnormal.
Table 10-8 on page 322
EXAM 3
STUDY GUIDE
University of South Alabama.
This document provides a focused
study guide
It summarizes key concepts, lecture highlights, and
exam-relevant material to support efficient last-
minute review. The guide is structured to help
students reinforce understanding, identify weak areas, and
prepare confidently for the assessment.
, NU 518
Exam 3 Study Guide
Chapter 10 Skin, Hair, and Nails
Skin Color (pg. 282-283)
Influenced by amount of melanin, vascular structure, changing hemodynamics, carotene
and bilirubin
Melanin, brown pigment genetically determined and increased by exposure to sunlight
Pallor indicated anemia
Carotene, yellow pigment found in the subcutaneous fat and heavily keratinized areas
such as the palms and soles
Bilirubin, yellow-brown pigments arises from breakdown of heme in the red blood cells aka
jaundice
Cyanosis, blue color, decrease flow of oxygen in blood
Skin Lesions (pg.286-291 Table 10-1 Table 10-4)
Primary lesion – flat, raised or fluid filled
o Macule – circumscribed flat area of change in color of the skin <1cm in diameter
o Patch – circumscribed flat area of change in color of the skin >1cm in diameter
o Papule – small solid elevation of the skin <1cm in diameter
o Plaque – large flatter elevation of the skin
o Nodule – solid elevation of the skin >1cm in diameter that extends to skin deeper
layers
o Pustule – small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis filled with purulent fluid
o Vesicle – small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing clear fluid <1cm
in diameter
o Bulla – circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing clear fluid >1cm in
diameter
o Wheal – circumscribed raised lesion consisting of dermal edema and is also known
as hives. Lasts 24 hours
o Erosions – loss of epidermal or mucosal epithelium
o Ulcers – deeper loss of the epidermis and at least the upper dermis
o Petechia – nonblanchable punctate focci of hemorrhage
o Purpura – nonblanchable, raised and palpable
o Ecchymoses – nonblanchable, larger areas or purpura
Measure with ruler in mm or cm
Can be single or multiple
Distribution, refers to how the skin lesions are scattered or spread out
Configuration, shape of the single lesions and the arrangement of groups
Texture, smooth/scaly/fleshy
Color
Table 10-1 on page 308
Table 10-4 on page 313
Hair Loss (pg. 297-298 Table 10-8)
Start by examining the hair to determine the overall pattern of their loss, or thinning.
Inspect scalp. Look at the width of the hair part in various section of the scalp
Hair pull test – grasping 50-60 hair and firmly pull away from the scalp – if all have telogen
bulbs likely diagnosis is telogen effluvium
Fragility is performed with tug test – holding group of hairs and pulling shaft, hair breakage
is abnormal.
Table 10-8 on page 322
