Integumentary System
Lesson 2: Physical Assessment of the Integumentary System
Exercises: Lesson 2
EXERCISES, LESSON 2
INSTRUCTIONS. The following exercises are to be completed by writing the answer in the space provided. After you have completed all the exercises, turn to the "Solution to Exercises" at the end of the exercises and check your answers.
1. The patient has a skin problem, and you are taking his history. You ask him about
his hobbies, his immediate environment (including plants and animals), and food
he has eaten recently. Why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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2. When you are taking a patient's history, why would you ask detailed information
about drugs he had taken recently?
________________________________________________________________
3. Foods which can cause the skin problem urticaria include _______________,
___________________, and ________________________.
4. List two facts the history of a skin eruption should include.
a. ____________________________________________________.
b. ____________________________________________________.
5. List two elements of the patient's family history which you should include when you
are taking the patient's general medical history.
a. ____________________________________________________.
b. ____________________________________________________.
6. ________________________ is a light which is a valuable aid in diagnosing skin
infections such as fungi. This equipment transmits ultraviolet rays which cause
the fungi in the skin to fluoresce.
7. ____________________ is a superficial fungal infection of red, white, or brown
patches which are primarily a cosmetic problem rather than a pathological
problem.
8. These three methods can be used to diagnose fungal disease: skin evaluation
with potassium hydroxide; ________________________ lamp examination; and
examination of skin cultures for dermatophytes.
9. ___________________, an abnormal darkening of the skin, is often the first sign
of adrenal insufficiency.
10. __________________________ is an abnormal decrease in skin pigmentation.
11. The skin condition __________________ is a redness of the skin which occurs
with any skin injury, superficial infection, or skin inflammation.
12. List three elements responsible for the skin color in humans.
a. ____________________________________.
b. ____________________________________.
c. ____________________________________.
13. The amount of pigment produced and dispersed by melanocytes accounts for
_____________________________________________________________
14. The pinkish color of nail beds in Caucasians is caused by __________________
________________________________________________________________
15. Carotene mixed with melanin is responsible for _________________________in
Oriental skin.
16. During winter months in an area of mild, low humidity, many people may suffer
from excessively ____________ skin.
17. To assess the ______________________ of the skin, grasp the skin between
the forefinger and the thumb and pull upward.
18. ____________________________ is characterized by soft skin texture which
can be diagnosed by touching the skin.
19. An increase in tissue bilirubin found in the skin is responsible for the yellowish
skin color of a person having _________________________.
20. _____________________, caused by hemorrhages into the skin, is commonly
known as a bruise or a black and blue mark.
21. In addition to modern antibiotics and/or antifungal agents, a _______________
smear may be used to diagnose the type of fungus causing a skin problem.
22. A skin test for allergy, the __________________ test is performed by applying to
the skin a small piece of gauze or filter paper on which a suspected allergy-
causing substance has been placed.
23. The male breast, as well as the female breast should be examined periodically
because ________________________________________________________
24. The most commonly used tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis are the _______
test and the ____________________ test.
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