NR 283 Unit 3 Pre-Class Questions
(Chapters 8 & 13)
*Make sure that you understand all of the terms you are studying, if you don’t know what a term means, look it
up before you continue studying. Take your thinking a step further by asking yourself “why” as you are reviewing
material. This will lead to understanding of the material versus memorization which will better help you answer
questions.
*Ensure that you understand all highlighted terms in each chapter
* Answer the question and supplemental questions included with the original question
Chapter 8: Skin Disorders
1. Describe the layers of the skin
a. Epidermis: stratum basale (base layer), stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum
lucidium, and stratum corneum. The surface epithelium of the skin, overlying the dermis.
b. Dermis: thick layer of connective tissue varying in thickness over the body that lies below the
epidermis and includes elastic and collagen fibers.
2. What are appendages in the skin? What is the function of each? Accessory structures.
a. Hair follicles: lined by epidermis that is continuous with the surface, the stratum basale
producing the hair. Each hair follicle has smooth muscle attached to it, the arrector pili,
controlled by sympathetic nerves. These may be stimulated by emotion or exposure to cold,
causing the hairs to stand upright (“on end”) or creating small elevations on the skin (“goose
bumps”).
b. Sebaceous glands: produce an oily secretion, sebum, which keeps the hair and skin soft and
hinders fluid loss from the skin. Secretions of sebum increase at puberty under the influence of
the sex hormones.
c. Sweat glands:
i. Eccrine: or merocrine, glands are located all over the body and secrete sweat through
pores onto the skin in response to increased heat or emotional stress (SNS control).
ii. Apocrine: sweat glands are located in the axillae, scalp, face, and external genitalia, and
the ducts of these glands open into the hair follicles.
3. What are the 5 functions of the skin? Acts as first line of defense, prevents excessive fluid loss, controls
body temperature, active in sensory perception, synthesize vitamin D.
4. Describe the following skin lesions: (Table 8-1)
a. Vesicle elevated, thin walled lesion containing clear fluid (blister)
b. Plaque large, slightly elevated lesion with flat surface, often topped by scale
c. Crust dry, rough surface or dried exudate or blood
d. Lichenification thick, dry, rough surface (leather like)
, NR 283 Unit 3 Pre-Class Questions
e. Keloid raised, irregular, & increasing mass of collagen resulting from excessive scar tissue
formation.
f. Fissure small, deep, linear crack or tear in skin
g. Ulcer cavity with loss of tissue from the epidermis and dermis, often weeping or bleeding
h. Erosion shallow, moist cavity in epidermis
i. Comedome mass of sebum, keratin, and debris blocking the opening of a hair follicle.
5. What is pruritus? associated with allergic responses, chemical irritation due to insect bites, or
infestations by parasites such as scabies mites.
a. What can cause it? release of histamine in a hypersensitivity response and mild stimulation of
pain receptors by irritants.
b. Why is it harmful to scratch a pruritic area? It increases the inflammation and may lead to
secondary infection.
c. Describe treatments for pruritus: antihistamines or glucocorticoids, administered topically or
orally, Identification and avoidance of allergens reduce the risk of recurrence. With many skin
disorders, extremes of heat or cold and contact with certain rough materials such as wool
aggravate the skin lesions. Soaks or compresses using solutions such as Burow solution
(aluminum acetate) or colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno) may cool the skin and reduce itching.
6. What is the differences between contact dermatitis and allergic dermatitis? Contact dermatitis may be
caused by exposure to an allergen or by direct chemical or mechanical irritation of the skin. Allergic
dermatitis may result from exposure to any of a multitude of substances, including metals, cosmetics,
soaps, chemicals, and plants.
7. What is atopic dermatitis? an inherited tendency toward allergic conditions like eczema, hay fever,
asthma, or allergic rhinitis.
a. What are clinical manifestations? Pruritic lesions, lesions are moist, red, vesicular, and covered
with crusts, symmetrically on the face, neck, extensor surfaces of the arms and legs, and
buttocks, skin appears dry and scaling, thick and leathery patches, skin folds may be moist and
red, and pruritus is common.
b. How is it treated? Identification and elimination of the aggravating agents and the use of topical
glucocorticoids are helpful. Antihistamines may reduce pruritus, and avoidance of skin irritants
such as strong detergents or wool, a change to a hypoallergenic diet, and adequate moisturizing
of the skin may reduce the inflammation.
8. What is psoriasis? Chronic inflammatory skin disorder.
a. What are the clinical manifestations? Lesions found on face, scalp, elbows, knees, itching or
burning sensation, small scaling spots, silvery scales, swollen or stiff joints.
b. What cells are abnormally activated? T cells
c. What medication are severe cases treated with? Antimetabolite methotrexate. UV light.
(Chapters 8 & 13)
*Make sure that you understand all of the terms you are studying, if you don’t know what a term means, look it
up before you continue studying. Take your thinking a step further by asking yourself “why” as you are reviewing
material. This will lead to understanding of the material versus memorization which will better help you answer
questions.
*Ensure that you understand all highlighted terms in each chapter
* Answer the question and supplemental questions included with the original question
Chapter 8: Skin Disorders
1. Describe the layers of the skin
a. Epidermis: stratum basale (base layer), stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum
lucidium, and stratum corneum. The surface epithelium of the skin, overlying the dermis.
b. Dermis: thick layer of connective tissue varying in thickness over the body that lies below the
epidermis and includes elastic and collagen fibers.
2. What are appendages in the skin? What is the function of each? Accessory structures.
a. Hair follicles: lined by epidermis that is continuous with the surface, the stratum basale
producing the hair. Each hair follicle has smooth muscle attached to it, the arrector pili,
controlled by sympathetic nerves. These may be stimulated by emotion or exposure to cold,
causing the hairs to stand upright (“on end”) or creating small elevations on the skin (“goose
bumps”).
b. Sebaceous glands: produce an oily secretion, sebum, which keeps the hair and skin soft and
hinders fluid loss from the skin. Secretions of sebum increase at puberty under the influence of
the sex hormones.
c. Sweat glands:
i. Eccrine: or merocrine, glands are located all over the body and secrete sweat through
pores onto the skin in response to increased heat or emotional stress (SNS control).
ii. Apocrine: sweat glands are located in the axillae, scalp, face, and external genitalia, and
the ducts of these glands open into the hair follicles.
3. What are the 5 functions of the skin? Acts as first line of defense, prevents excessive fluid loss, controls
body temperature, active in sensory perception, synthesize vitamin D.
4. Describe the following skin lesions: (Table 8-1)
a. Vesicle elevated, thin walled lesion containing clear fluid (blister)
b. Plaque large, slightly elevated lesion with flat surface, often topped by scale
c. Crust dry, rough surface or dried exudate or blood
d. Lichenification thick, dry, rough surface (leather like)
, NR 283 Unit 3 Pre-Class Questions
e. Keloid raised, irregular, & increasing mass of collagen resulting from excessive scar tissue
formation.
f. Fissure small, deep, linear crack or tear in skin
g. Ulcer cavity with loss of tissue from the epidermis and dermis, often weeping or bleeding
h. Erosion shallow, moist cavity in epidermis
i. Comedome mass of sebum, keratin, and debris blocking the opening of a hair follicle.
5. What is pruritus? associated with allergic responses, chemical irritation due to insect bites, or
infestations by parasites such as scabies mites.
a. What can cause it? release of histamine in a hypersensitivity response and mild stimulation of
pain receptors by irritants.
b. Why is it harmful to scratch a pruritic area? It increases the inflammation and may lead to
secondary infection.
c. Describe treatments for pruritus: antihistamines or glucocorticoids, administered topically or
orally, Identification and avoidance of allergens reduce the risk of recurrence. With many skin
disorders, extremes of heat or cold and contact with certain rough materials such as wool
aggravate the skin lesions. Soaks or compresses using solutions such as Burow solution
(aluminum acetate) or colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno) may cool the skin and reduce itching.
6. What is the differences between contact dermatitis and allergic dermatitis? Contact dermatitis may be
caused by exposure to an allergen or by direct chemical or mechanical irritation of the skin. Allergic
dermatitis may result from exposure to any of a multitude of substances, including metals, cosmetics,
soaps, chemicals, and plants.
7. What is atopic dermatitis? an inherited tendency toward allergic conditions like eczema, hay fever,
asthma, or allergic rhinitis.
a. What are clinical manifestations? Pruritic lesions, lesions are moist, red, vesicular, and covered
with crusts, symmetrically on the face, neck, extensor surfaces of the arms and legs, and
buttocks, skin appears dry and scaling, thick and leathery patches, skin folds may be moist and
red, and pruritus is common.
b. How is it treated? Identification and elimination of the aggravating agents and the use of topical
glucocorticoids are helpful. Antihistamines may reduce pruritus, and avoidance of skin irritants
such as strong detergents or wool, a change to a hypoallergenic diet, and adequate moisturizing
of the skin may reduce the inflammation.
8. What is psoriasis? Chronic inflammatory skin disorder.
a. What are the clinical manifestations? Lesions found on face, scalp, elbows, knees, itching or
burning sensation, small scaling spots, silvery scales, swollen or stiff joints.
b. What cells are abnormally activated? T cells
c. What medication are severe cases treated with? Antimetabolite methotrexate. UV light.
