Question 1

The secretory activity of the sebaceous glands is stimulated by:
A) body heat.
B) ambient temperature.
C) sex hormones.
D) dietary protein.

Accepted Answer

The sebaceous glands, when stimulated by the sex hormones, produce a lipid-rich substance that keeps the skin moist.

Question 2

Expected hair distribution changes in older adults include:
A) increased terminal hair follicles on the scalp.
B) more prominent axillary and pubic hair production.
C) increased terminal hair follicles to the tragus of men's ears.
D) more prominent peripheral extremity hair production.

Accepted Answer

The transition from a vellous to terminal hair pattern occurs in older men at the nares and tragus.

Question 3

The adipose tissue in the hypodermis serves to:
A) provide sensory input.
B) generate heat and insulate.
C) create tensile strength.
D) secrete collagen.

Accepted Answer

The hypodermis layer consists of adipose tissue that serves to generate heat and provide insulation, shock absorption, and a reserve of calories.

Question 4

Mrs. Bower is a 39-year-old patient who has come to the office for a routine physical examination. As a healthcare provider, you know that the skin temperature is best assessed with the:
A) dorsal surface of the examiner's hand.
B) palmar surface of the examiner's hand.
C) ulnar surface of the examiner's hand.
D) pads of the examiner's fingers.

Accepted Answer

The dorsal surface of the hand is best for estimating temperature variations.

Question 5

Small, minute bruises are called:
A) ecchymoses.
B) petechiae.
C) spider veins.
D) telangiectasias.

Accepted Answer

Petechiae are smaller than 0.5 cm in diameter. Ecchymoses are larger than 0.5 cm in diameter. Spider veins and telangiectasias are vascular lesions.

Question 6

You are examining a pregnant patient and have noted a vascular lesion. When you blanch over the vascular lesion, the site blanches and refills evenly from the center outward. The nurse documents this lesion as a:
A) telangiectasia.
B) spider angioma.
C) petechiae.
D) purpura.

Accepted Answer

Spider angiomas are dilated arterioles. A network of dilated capillaries radiate from the center arteriole, outward like a spider's legs. Spider angiomas are often associated with high estrogen levels, as occur in pregnancy. Blanching over the center is followed by a rapid return of redness from the center outward. Telangiectasias refill erratically. Petechiae and purpura do not blanch.

Question 7

The skin repairs surface wounds by:
A) exaggerating cell replacement.
B) excreting lactic acid.
C) producing vitamins.
D) providing a mechanical barrier.

Accepted Answer

The skin's tissue cells have a rapid rate of turnover and constant renewal, thereby enabling the skin to repair damaged surfaces.

Question 8

A 29-year-old white woman appears jaundiced. Liver disease as a cause has been excluded. What history questions should the nurse ask?
A) Whether she had unprotected sex
B) Whether she has a history of diabetes mellitus
C) Whether she had unusual bleeding problems
D) Whether she eats a lot of yellow and orange vegetables

Accepted Answer

In the absence of liver disease, another cause of jaundice is increased carotene pigmentation. Diets high in carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash are high in carotene and can make the skin appear to be jaundiced. Whether she had unprotected sex, a history of diabetes mellitus, or unusual bleeding problems would not be relevant when assessing the jaundiced skin.

Question 9

The type and brand of grooming products used are important to the health history of:
A) adolescents.
B) everyone.
C) older adults.
D) persons with rashes.

Accepted Answer

Knowledge of exposure to environmental chemicals is valid health history data for all age groups, not just adolescents, older adults, or persons with rashes.

Question 10

Brittle nails are typical findings in:
A) adolescents.
B) infants.
C) pregnant women.
D) older adults.

Accepted Answer

Older adults typically have decreased peripheral circulation to the nails, causing the nails to develop longitudinal ridges that are more brittle and susceptible to splitting into layers.

Question 11

Mrs. Leonard brings her newborn infant into the pediatrician's office for a first well-baby visit. As the healthcare provider, you teach her that newborns are more vulnerable to hypothermia because of:
A) the presence of coarse terminal hair.
B) desquamation of the stratum corneum.
C) their covering of vernix caseosa.
D) a poorly developed subcutaneous fat layer.

Accepted Answer

Newborns have a poorly developed subcutaneous fat layer and therefore have a reduced ability to generate heat.

Question 12

Unusual white areas on the skin may be caused by:
A) adrenal disease.
B) polycythemia.
C) vitiligo.
D) Down syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The absence of melanin produces unpigmented white areas known as vitiligo.

Question 13

Which cultural group has the lowest incidence of nevi?
A) Native Americans
B) African Americans
C) Mexican Americans
D) Asians

Accepted Answer

Nevi are more common in persons who burn, rather than tan; therefore, African Americans have the lowest rates of nevi.

Question 14

As part of your health promotion education for a new patient, you explain that the risk factors for skin cancer include:
A) an olive complexion.
B) repeated trauma or irritation to skin.
C) history of allergic reactions to sunscreen.
D) dark eyes and hair.

Accepted Answer

Fair-skinned persons with light eyes with repeated trauma or skin irritation have higher risk factors for skin cancer development.

Question 15

Mr. Donalds is a 45-year-old roofer. Your inspection to determine color variations of the skin is best conducted:
A) using an episcope.
B) under fluorescent lighting.
C) with illumination provided by daylight.
D) using a Wood's light.

Accepted Answer

Daylight provides the best illumination source for determining color variations of the skin.

Question 16

You are inspecting the lower extremities of a patient and have noted pale, shiny skin of the lower extremities. This may reflect:
A) systemic disease.
B) a history of vigorous exercise.
C) peptic ulcer disease.
D) mental retardation.

Accepted Answer

Pale, shiny skin of the lower extremities may reflect peripheral changes that occur with systemic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Question 17

Mrs. Tuber is a 36-year-old patient who comes into the health center with complaints that her fingernails are not growing. Which structure is the site of new nail growth?
A) Cuticle
B) Perionychium
C) Matrix
D) Nail bed

Accepted Answer

The white crescent-shaped area beyond the proximal nail fold is called the matrix, which is the site of new nail growth.

Question 18

Mrs. Franklin is a 68-year-old patient who presents to the office with a complaint that her nails do not seem to be growing. As the healthcare provider, you explain to her that the nails of older adults grow slowly because of:
A) decreased circulation.
B) dietary deficiencies.
C) fungal infections.
D) low hormone levels.

Accepted Answer

Decreased circulation to the nails of older adults causes nail growth retardation.

Question 19

Mrs. Mulligan brings her 16-year-old son into the office for a sports physical examination. As the healthcare provider, you explain that normal hormone-related changes of adolescence include:
A) increased oil production.
B) slowed hair growth.
C) depleted apocrine glands.
D) decreased sebaceous gland activity.

Accepted Answer

During adolescence, the sebaceous glands increase sebum production, which causes the skin to have an oily appearance and predisposes the individual to acne.

Question 20

Tangential lighting is best used for inspecting skin:
A) color.
B) contour.
C) exudates.
D) symmetry.

Accepted Answer

Tangential lighting-light shined laterally to the surface-is best for inspecting skin contour.

Quiz 9: Skin, Hair, and Nails

The secretory activity of the sebaceous glands is stimulated by:

Expected hair distribution changes in older adults include:

The adipose tissue in the hypodermis serves to:

Mrs. Bower is a 39-year-old patient who has come to the office for a routine physical examination. As a healthcare provider, you know that the skin temperature is best assessed with the:

Small, minute bruises are called:

You are examining a pregnant patient and have noted a vascular lesion. When you blanch over the vascular lesion, the site blanches and refills evenly from the center outward. The nurse documents this lesion as a:

The skin repairs surface wounds by:

A 29-year-old white woman appears jaundiced. Liver disease as a cause has been excluded. What history questions should the nurse ask?

The type and brand of grooming products used are important to the health history of:

Brittle nails are typical findings in:

Mrs. Leonard brings her newborn infant into the pediatrician's office for a first well-baby visit. As the healthcare provider, you teach her that newborns are more vulnerable to hypothermia because of:

Unusual white areas on the skin may be caused by:

Which cultural group has the lowest incidence of nevi?

As part of your health promotion education for a new patient, you explain that the risk factors for skin cancer include:

Mr. Donalds is a 45-year-old roofer. Your inspection to determine color variations of the skin is best conducted:

You are inspecting the lower extremities of a patient and have noted pale, shiny skin of the lower extremities. This may reflect:

Mrs. Tuber is a 36-year-old patient who comes into the health center with complaints that her fingernails are not growing. Which structure is the site of new nail growth?

Mrs. Franklin is a 68-year-old patient who presents to the office with a complaint that her nails do not seem to be growing. As the healthcare provider, you explain to her that the nails of older adults grow slowly because of:

Mrs. Mulligan brings her 16-year-old son into the office for a sports physical examination. As the healthcare provider, you explain that normal hormone-related changes of adolescence include:

Tangential lighting is best used for inspecting skin: