Introduction to the Skin and Its Function

Every question here, with the answer

1. A client has a shallow scrape that involves only the epidermis. It is not bleeding. The client asks why. Which explanation is accurate?

   1. The epidermis does not contain blood vessels.
   2. The hypodermis stops all bleeding.
   3. The epidermis is the most vascular layer of the skin.
   4. Langerhans cells clot the blood.

   Answer: The epidermis does not contain blood vessels.

   Unlike the dermis, the epidermis has no blood vessels or nerves, so a wound limited to it does not bleed. The dermis, especially the reticular layer, is the vascular part, and Langerhans cells remove bacteria and wastes rather than clot blood.

2. A client has a laceration deep into the dermis and reports significant pain. Which statement explains this?

   1. The basal layer is made of keratin cells that sense pain.
   2. The reticular layer of the dermis is highly vascular and contains more nerve and sensory functions.
   3. The cornified layer contains most of the skin's nerves.
   4. The epidermis is the thickest nerve layer.

   Answer: The reticular layer of the dermis is highly vascular and contains more nerve and sensory functions.

   The reticular layer of the dermis is thicker and more vascular than other layers and contains more nerve and sensory function, so deep wounds hurt and bleed more. The outer epidermal layers have no nerves, and the basal layer is the one sublayer not made from keratin cells.

3. A nurse is caring for a client with a large area of broken skin. Why is this a priority concern?

   1. Bacteria and other substances can enter the body through breaks in the skin.
   2. Broken skin only affects appearance.
   3. Broken skin lowers the skin's mitotic rate permanently.
   4. Broken skin stops new skin cells from forming.

   Answer: Bacteria and other substances can enter the body through breaks in the skin.

   When skin integrity is compromised, bacteria, other organisms and contaminating substances can enter through the breaks, so infection prevention is a priority. The section describes skin as having a high mitotic rate, not a permanently lowered one.

4. Which skin structures or cells help protect the body from invading bacteria? Select all that apply.

   1. Phagocytes in the papillary layer
   2. Langerhans cells in the spinous layer
   3. The intact epidermis covering the dermis
   4. Blood vessels in the cornified layer
   5. Fat in the hypodermis that digests bacteria

   Answer: Phagocytes in the papillary layer, Langerhans cells in the spinous layer, The intact epidermis covering the dermis

   Phagocytes in the papillary layer destroy bacteria, Langerhans cells eliminate foreign bacteria in the spinous layer, and the epidermal sublayers protect the dermis. The hypodermis is fatty tissue that anchors the dermis, and the epidermis has no blood vessels.

5. A nurse is assessing a rash on a client with dark skin. Which principle should guide the assessment?

   1. Only the hypodermis should be assessed.
   2. Rashes do not occur on darker skin.
   3. Skin conditions in darker-skinned clients often present differently than in lighter-skinned clients.
   4. Skin conditions look the same on all skin tones.

   Answer: Skin conditions in darker-skinned clients often present differently than in lighter-skinned clients.

   Skin conditions in darker-skinned individuals often present differently, and this has been identified as a barrier to correct diagnosis and treatment. The other statements are not supported by the section.

6. A student is reviewing the dermis before a wound care lab. Which statements about the dermis are accurate? Select all that apply.

   1. It contains nerves and sensory receptors.
   2. It is rich in blood vessels.
   3. Its papillary layer helps hold the dermis and epidermis together.
   4. It is made only of dead keratin cells.
   5. It is the outermost visible layer of skin.

   Answer: It contains nerves and sensory receptors., It is rich in blood vessels., Its papillary layer helps hold the dermis and epidermis together.

   The dermis is rich in vascularity, nerves and sensory receptors, and its papillae extend into the epidermis to hold the layers together. The outermost visible layer is the cornified layer of the epidermis.