Integumentary System Quiz

Escharotomy is a longitudinal cut through a circumferential eschar down to the subcutaneous tissue to relieve constriction. Fasciotomy opens fascia for compartment syndrome, dehiscence is wound separation, and transection is a complete cut across a structure.

Diabetic neuropathic ulcers typically occur on plantar pressure points because protective sensation is lost. Venous ulcers favor the medial gaiter area, arterial ulcers are distal and very painful, and pressure injuries form over bony prominences.

Transudate is a clear, low-protein fluid made mostly of water and electrolytes. Exudate is protein rich and inflammatory, serosanguineous fluid is thin and pink, and induration is tissue firmness rather than a fluid.

On a common pitting scale, +2 edema rebounds in about 10–15 seconds. +1 rebounds quickly, +3 lasts longer, and +4 is very deep and can persist for minutes.

Induration is localized hardening from increased fibrous tissue or inflammation, as seen with cellulitis. Necrosis is tissue death, eschar is dead leathery tissue, and maceration is softening from excess moisture.

By the adult rule of nines, one entire arm is 9% and the back is 18%, for a total of 27%.

Stage III is full-thickness skin loss into subcutaneous tissue without exposure of bone, tendon, or muscle. Stage IV exposes deeper structures, Stage II is partial thickness, and Stage I is non-blanchable erythema.

Venous ulcers cause aching that improves with elevation and compression. Arterial pain worsens with elevation, diabetic ulcers may be painless from neuropathy, and “plantar” describes location rather than cause.

Hypovolemia is reduced intravascular volume that can result when fluid shifts into interstitial or third spaces. Necrosis, eschar, and maceration describe tissue changes rather than loss of circulating volume.

Pruritic means “itchy,” and rupture and impetigo are unrelated terms.

The stratum corneum is the surface layer composed of keratinized cells.

The stratum basale is the deepest epidermal layer where keratinocyte mitosis occurs.

In thin skin, the stratum granulosum lies just deep to the stratum corneum. In thick skin, a stratum lucidum lies between them.

UV-B converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in the epidermis to cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃).

Ergosterol is the D₂ precursor in plants and fungi, and calcidiol is a liver metabolite.

Blackheads are open comedones. Whiteheads are closed comedones, and papules, pustules, and nodules are other acne lesion types.

An allograft (homograft) is human donor skin, such as cadaver skin. An autograft comes from the same patient, an isograft from an identical twin, and a xenograft from another species.

Seborrhea involves overactive sebaceous activity with greasy scales and is often linked to dandruff. Keloid is excess scar tissue, eczema is an inflammatory dermatitis, and urticaria is hives.

Urticaria is the condition characterized by transient, pruritic wheals known as hives.

Eczema can present with an itchy vesicular rash that may weep during flares. Keloid is a raised scar, seborrhea produces greasy scales, and urticaria forms wheals rather than blisters.

Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates skin and hair. Sweat comes from eccrine or apocrine glands, cerumen from ceruminous glands, and impetigo is a bacterial infection.