ATI: Module Health Assessment: Skin
Assessment Details:
Inspection & palpate are used when conducting a skin assessment -
Inspection -
❏ For color, integrity, moisture, and texture.
Palpation -
❏ For mobility, texture, torgue, and moisture temperature.
Tools -
❏ Gloves
❏ Penlight
❏ Ruler
Skin -
❏ Epidermis - The top layer is a combination of dead cells on the outside and
live cells on the inside.
❏ Dermis - The middle layer is made of connective tissue that is formed
from collagen and elastic fibers.
❏ Subcutaneous - The innermost layer that contains fatty, adipose tissue, used
for storing fat for energy and helps with temperature control.
Nails -
❏ Nails are clear heard plates of KERATIN. First, is the nail plate, nail bed,
and then the nail root.
Physiology -
❏ Protect the inner body parts and organs.
❏ Body temperature regulation, for shivering and sweating.
❏ Sensory perception of temperature, touch and pain.
❏ Produce vitamin D.
❏ Vitamin D is necessary for the intestines to absorb calcium, EX)
, SKIN EXPOSURE, SUNLIGHT, AND DIETARY
SUPPLEMENTS.
Health history interview -
❏ Do you have a history of allergies, rashes, or skin problems?
❏ Do you have any problems with or have you noticed any changes with your
skin or nails?
❏ Do you currently have any itching, bruising, lumps, rashes, scars, open
scars, or skin lesion?
❏ How do you care for your skin and nails?
❏ Do you have or any family member have a history of skin cancer?
❏ Do you perform a self-assessment of moles and skin lesions?
Skin Color -
❏ Hyperpigmentation - occurs when melanin is increased in one area. Ex)
Birthmarks, sun damage, and pregnancy damages.
❏ Hypopigmentation - occurs when melanin is decreased, but not completely
absent in one area. EX) scars, stretch marks, and vitiligo.
Unexpected Findings -
❏ Cyanosis - caused by a LACK OF OXYGEN. EX) It is observed as a
bluish skin color in lighter skin tones, if you’re a darker complexion than
look at nail beds.
❏ Ecchymosis - commonly known as bruises, also results from bleeding, but
they are larger sports or blotches. EX) Turn a blue color or yellow color
when they begin to heal.
❏ Erythema - caused by inflammation. EX) Intense red color in lighter skin
tones and purplish in darker skin tones.
❏ Jaundice - a yellowish skin color due to an increase in BILIRUBIN, a
by-product of the breakdown of red blood cells.
❏ Pallor - a pale or lighter skin color than usual. EX) Anemia or
circulatory problems, look at lips, mucus membranes, and nail beds.
Assessment Details:
Inspection & palpate are used when conducting a skin assessment -
Inspection -
❏ For color, integrity, moisture, and texture.
Palpation -
❏ For mobility, texture, torgue, and moisture temperature.
Tools -
❏ Gloves
❏ Penlight
❏ Ruler
Skin -
❏ Epidermis - The top layer is a combination of dead cells on the outside and
live cells on the inside.
❏ Dermis - The middle layer is made of connective tissue that is formed
from collagen and elastic fibers.
❏ Subcutaneous - The innermost layer that contains fatty, adipose tissue, used
for storing fat for energy and helps with temperature control.
Nails -
❏ Nails are clear heard plates of KERATIN. First, is the nail plate, nail bed,
and then the nail root.
Physiology -
❏ Protect the inner body parts and organs.
❏ Body temperature regulation, for shivering and sweating.
❏ Sensory perception of temperature, touch and pain.
❏ Produce vitamin D.
❏ Vitamin D is necessary for the intestines to absorb calcium, EX)
, SKIN EXPOSURE, SUNLIGHT, AND DIETARY
SUPPLEMENTS.
Health history interview -
❏ Do you have a history of allergies, rashes, or skin problems?
❏ Do you have any problems with or have you noticed any changes with your
skin or nails?
❏ Do you currently have any itching, bruising, lumps, rashes, scars, open
scars, or skin lesion?
❏ How do you care for your skin and nails?
❏ Do you have or any family member have a history of skin cancer?
❏ Do you perform a self-assessment of moles and skin lesions?
Skin Color -
❏ Hyperpigmentation - occurs when melanin is increased in one area. Ex)
Birthmarks, sun damage, and pregnancy damages.
❏ Hypopigmentation - occurs when melanin is decreased, but not completely
absent in one area. EX) scars, stretch marks, and vitiligo.
Unexpected Findings -
❏ Cyanosis - caused by a LACK OF OXYGEN. EX) It is observed as a
bluish skin color in lighter skin tones, if you’re a darker complexion than
look at nail beds.
❏ Ecchymosis - commonly known as bruises, also results from bleeding, but
they are larger sports or blotches. EX) Turn a blue color or yellow color
when they begin to heal.
❏ Erythema - caused by inflammation. EX) Intense red color in lighter skin
tones and purplish in darker skin tones.
❏ Jaundice - a yellowish skin color due to an increase in BILIRUBIN, a
by-product of the breakdown of red blood cells.
❏ Pallor - a pale or lighter skin color than usual. EX) Anemia or
circulatory problems, look at lips, mucus membranes, and nail beds.
