Deck 12: Skin, Hair, and Nails

Question 1

The nurse notes the presence of crusted lesions on the lips and inside the client's mouth along the cheek during an assessment. Which condition should the nurse suspect the client is experiencing?

A) Chickenpox.
B) Contact dermatitis.
C) Herpes simplex.
D) Psoriasis.

Answer 1

Herpes simplex.

Question 2

The educator has reviewed the layers of skin with a nurse. Which statement indicates further teaching is required?

A) "The cutaneous glands help protect against bacteria on the skin."
B) "The subcutaneous tissue contains half of the body's fat cells."
C) "The dermis contains collagen and elastin fibers."
D) "The epidermis produces melanin."

Answer 2

"The epidermis produces melanin."

Question 3

The nurse is preparing to assess a client suspected of having a fungal nail infection. Which question should the nurse include in the assessment?

A) "Have you recently been ill?"
B) "Do you submerge your hands in water for long periods of time?"
C) "Have you recently changed anything in your dietary intake?"
D) "Do you take any over-the-counter medications or prescriptions?"

Answer 3

"Do you submerge your hands in water for long periods of time?"

Question 4

Which structure of the nail protects the root of the nail?

A) Lunula.
B) Cuticle.
C) Posterior nail fold.
D) Nail matrix.

Question 5

The nurse reviewing a client record notes a documented finding of "+1 edema right lower leg." Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?

A) The presence of slight pitting, no obvious distortion.
B) Deep pitting, obvious distortion.
C) Pitting is obvious and extremities are swollen.
D) Moderate amount of edema.

Question 6

The nurse is preparing to document herpetic lesions noted on a client. Which terms should the nurse use to document the finding? Select all that apply.

A) Vesicular.
B) Pustular.
C) Pruritic.
D) Ulcerated.
E) Crusty.

Question 7

A client asks the nurse what the risk factors are for piercing the naval area. Which information should the nurse recognize is most important?

A) "You are at risk for scar tissue at the site."
B) "The piercing may get caught on clothing."
C) "You may not want the piercing in a few years."
D) "You are at risk for hepatitis A."

Question 8

The nurse is inspecting the fingernails of a client who is diagnosed with polycythemia. Which assessment data would be expected for this client?

A) Dark red nails.
B) Horizontal white bands.
C) Pale nail beds.
D) Spoon-shaped nails.

Question 9

The nurse is assessing a client with liver disease and notes that the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae are yellowish in color. Which term is most appropriate for the nurse to use to describe this condition when documenting in the medical record?

A) Uremia.
B) Cyanosis.
C) Jaundice.
D) Carotenemia.

Question 10

The nurse is conducting a focused interview on the client's integumentary system. Which questions should the nurse ask to identify risk factors for the development of integumentary disorders? Select all that apply.

A) "How much time do you spend outdoors?"
B) "How do you care for your skin?"
C) "Do you have any tattoos or body piercings?"
D) "Have you noticed any drainage from your skin?"
E) "Do you take any medications on a regular basis?"

Question 11

A client asks the nurse why they are growing facial hair. Which statement should the nurse provide the patient?

A) "Your diet is not nutritionally balanced."
B) "You may have some hormone imbalances."
C) "Usually, there is not a known cause for this condition."
D) "You may be lacking particular vitamins."

Question 12

The nurse is providing education to a postpartum client. Which should the nurse include in the teaching about the client's hair?

A) "You may notice an increase in the dryness of your hair."
B) "Due to the hormonal changes, the thickness of your hair may increase."
C) "You may notice that your hair will shed for up to several months."
D) "Hormones may alter melanocyte production slightly altering your hair color."

Question 13

The nurse reviewing a client record notes a documented finding of "vitiligo present bilateral hands." Which assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?

A) Nodules with ulcerations.
B) Dark, asymmetrical colored patches.
C) Grouped vesicles.
D) Abnormal loss of melanin in patches.

Question 14

An adolescent client tells the nurse that they shower daily but still have a skin odor. Which action should the nurse take?

A) Reassure the adolescent that this is normal.
B) Notify the client's healthcare provider.
C) Recommend a strong body wash product.
D) Educate the client regarding the importance of increased water intake.

Question 15

The nurse notes that the client's skin, nails, and mucous membranes are very light in color. Which description should the nurse use to document the findings?

A) Cyanosis.
B) Pallor.
C) Erythema.
D) Jaundice.

Question 16

The nurse is performing a skin assessment on a client and notes a round, elevated, fluid-filled mass approximately 0.4 cm in size. Which term should the nurse use when documenting the finding?

A) Vesicle.
B) Macule.
C) Papule.
D) Tumor.

Question 17

The nurse is preparing to assess the client's skin, hair, and nails. Which technique will the nurse use initially during this assessment?

A) Percussion.
B) Palpation.
C) Auscultation.
D) Inspection.

Question 18

The nurse is assessing a client's nails for clubbing. Which technique should the nurse use?

A) Place two thumbs touching side-by-side.
B) Place two of the same fingers from each hand together.
C) Place two index fingers together tip-to-tip.
D) Place the hands out straight with the palm sides down.

Question 19

The nurse notes a client has several abdominal lesions that appear in distinct clusters. Which terminology should the nurse use when documenting the pattern of the lesions?

A) Grouped.
B) Annular.
C) Discrete.
D) Confluent.

Question 20

The nurse notes an oval-shaped, elevated, fluid-filled mass that is approximately 1.5 centimeters in size on the client's skin. Which term should the nurse use to document the finding?

A) Vesicle.
B) Bulla.
C) Papule.
D) Tumor.

Question 21

A mother of a newborn infant calls the clinic and states, "I think my baby has jaundice." Which question should the nurse ask the mother?

A) "Does your baby have tiny, white facial bumps?"
B) "Does your baby's skin and mucous membranes have a yellowish color?"
C) "Does your baby have irregular red patches on the back of the neck?"
D) "Does your baby have dark spots on the area above the buttock?"

Question 22

The nurse observes flat bright red dots with tiny radiating blood vessels of various sizes during a skin assessment of an adult client. Which should the nurse document the findings as in the client's record?

A) Spider angioma.
B) Purpura.
C) Hemangioma.
D) Hematoma.

Question 23

The nurse is assessing the skin of a client with hypothyroidism. Which findings should the nurse anticipate?

A) Excessively smooth skin.
B) Thin, shiny skin.
C) Rough, scaly skin.
D) Diaphoretic skin.

Question 24

The nurse is preparing a client for a detailed assessment of the integumentary system. Which instruction should the nurse provide the client? Select all that apply.

A) "Please remove all jewelry so that I can conduct a full assessment."
B) "I will turn the temperature down in the exam room before we begin."
C) "Use this blanket to cover up until we are ready to begin."
D) "I will be touching your skin as part of the process."
E) "I will need you to take off your head dress for the entire examination."

Question 25

The nurse notes an elevated irregular darkened area of excess scar tissue on a client. Which term should the nurse use to document the finding?

A) Ulcer.
B) Keloid.
C) Fissure.
D) Scar.

Question 26

A client that has had abdominal surgery one month prior expresses concern that the scar is "purplish." Which response should the nurse provide?

A) "Having a scar is unavoidable."
B) "The color is normal and will fade with time."
C) "You can have plastic surgery to remove the scar later."
D) "Everyone's skin heals a little bit differently."

Question 27

The nurse is preparing to assess a client with a stage pressure III ulcer. Which findings should the nurse anticipate?

A) Ulcer involving muscle and bone.
B) Ulcer that extends into the subcutaneous tissue.
C) Involvement of the epidermal skin layer that may extend into the dermis.
D) A reddened area with skin intact and no involvement of the tissues

Question 28

The nurse is preparing to assess a client with darker skin for jaundice. Which assessment technique should the nurse use?

A) Use a bright lamp and a magnifying glass.
B) Press the client's skin and observe for blanching.
C) Assess the skin the same way you would inspect a client with lighter skin.
D) Inspect the lips, oral mucosa, sclera, conjunctivae, and palms.

Question 29

A client tells the nurse they have been stung by a bee. Which skin assessment findings should the nurse anticipate?

A) Bullae.
B) Plaque.
C) Wheal.
D) Vesicle.

Question 30

The nurse is preparing to asses a client with polycythemia. Which assessment finding in the client's nails should the nurse anticipate?

A) Pale.
B) Horizontal white bands.
C) Dark red.
D) A single nail with a darkly pigmented band.