Showing posts with label integumentary disorder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label integumentary disorder. Show all posts

DISORDERS OF THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Thursday, May 22, 2008 | Labels: | 0 Comments  

Herpes Simplex Virus, Type I

  1. General information
    1. Causes cold sores or fever blisters, canker sores and herpetic whitlow
    2. Common disorder, frequently seen in women
    3. Primary infection occurs in children, recurrences in adults
    4. Self-limiting virus
  2. Assessment findings: clusters of vesicles, may ulcerate or crust; burning, itching, tingling; usually appears on lip or cheek
  3. Nursing interventions: keep lesions dry; apply topical antibiotics or anesthetic as ordered.
i

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Labels: | 0 Comments  

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

  1. General information
    1. Acute viral infection of the nervous system
    2. The virus causes an inflammatory reaction in isolated spinal and cranial sensory ganglia and the posterior gray matter of the spinal cord
    3. Contagious to anyone who has not had varicella or who is immunosuppressed
    4. Caused by activation of latent varicella-zoster virus
  2. Medical management
    1. Analgesics
    2. Corticosteroids
    3. Acetic acid compresses
    4. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
  3. Assessment findings
    1. Neuralgic pain, malaise, itching, burning
    2. Cluster of skin vesicles along course of peripheral sensory nerves, usually unilateral and primarily on trunk, thorax, or face
  4. Nursing interventions
    1. Apply acetic acid compresses or white petrolatum to lesions.
    2. Administer medications as ordered.
      1. Analgesics for pain
      2. Systemic corticosteroids: monitor for side effects of steroid therapy (see Interventions, Care of the Client on Corticosteriod Therapy).
      3. Acyclovir (Zovivax): antivalagent reduces severity when given early in illness.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Labels: | 0 Comments  

Skin Cancer

  1. General information
    1. Types of skin cancers
      1. Basal cell epithelioma: most common type of skin cancer; locally invasive and rarely metastasizes; most frequently located between the hairline and upper lip
      2. Squamous cell carcinoma (epidermoid): grows more rapidly than basal cell carcinoma and can metastasize; frequently seen on mucous membranes, lower lip, neck, and dorsum of the hands
      3. Malignant melanoma: least frequent of skin cancers, but most serious; capable of invasion and metastasis to other organs
    2. Precancerous lesions
      1. Leukoplakia: white, shiny patches in the mouth and on the lip
      2. Nevi (moles): junctional nevus may become malignant (signs include a color change to black, bleeding, and irritation); compound and dermal nevi unlikely to become cancerous
      3. Senile keratoses: brown, scalelike spots on older individuals
    3. Contributing factors include hereditary predisposition (fair, blue-eyed people; redheads and blondes); irritation (chemicals or ultraviolet rays)
    4. Occurs more often in those with outdoor occupations who are exposed to more sunlight
  2. Medical management: varies depending on type of cancer; surgical excision with or without radiation therapy most common; chemotherapy and immunotherapy for melanoma
  3. Assessment findings: characteristics depend on specific type of lesion; biopsy reveals malignant cells
  4. Nursing interventions: provide client teaching concerning
    1. Limitation of contact with chemical irritants
    2. Protection against ultraviolet radiation from sun
      1. Wear thin layer of clothing.
      2. Use sun block or lotion containing para-amino benzoic acid (PABA).
    3. Need to report lesions that change characteristics and/or those that do not heal.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Labels: | 0 Comments  

Psoriasis

  1. General information
    1. Chronic type of dermatitis that involves accelerated turnover rate of the epidermal cells
    2. Predisposing factors include stress, trauma, infection; changes in climate may produce exacerbations; familial predisposition to the disease
  2. Medical management
    1. Topical corticosteroids
    2. Coal tar preparations
    3. Ultraviolet light
    4. Antimetabolites (methotrexate)
  3. Assessment findings
    1. Mild pruritus
    2. Sharply circumscribed scaling placques that are mostly present on the scalp, elbows, and knees; yellow discoloration of nails
  4. Nursing interventions
    1. Apply occlusive wraps over prescribed topical steroids.
    2. Protect areas treated with coal tar preparations from direct sunlight for 24 hours.
    3. Administer methotrexate as ordered, assess for side effects.
    4. Provide client teaching and discharge planning concerning
      1. Feelings about changes in appearance of skin (encourage client to cover arms and legs with clothing if sensitive about appearance)
      2. Importance of adhering to prescribed treatment and avoidance of commercially advertised products

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Labels: | 0 Comments  

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

OUR FACEBOOK FANPAGE