Skin Lesions Sample
Module 1
Identify Clients at Risk of Skin Breakdown
At the end of this module you will be able to:
•
Identify clients in the care environment/setting who may be at risk of impaired tissue viability and skin breakdown
•
Identify any pre-disposing disposing factors which might exacerbate risk
•
Identify any external factors which you should consider in your assessment
•
Identify the effects of a pressure sore on the client
Structure of the skin
In
n order to help you to understand how skin breakdown can happen, it is essential to have some understanding of how the skin is made up and what its’ its functions are.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, both by weight and surface area. It acts as a protective layer that covers the entire body, also acting as a two-way two barrier to prevent the inward or outward passage of water and electrolytes. The skin is involved in maintaining body temperature. It gathers sensory information from the environment and nd plays an active role in immunity, which acts to protect us from disease. The skin has many functions and in order to understand these it is helpful to gain an understanding of the structure of the skin.
© NCC Asset Management Ltd
1
Skin Lesions and Breakdown
V1.0111
Cross section of the structure of skin
The skin is a complex structure, but is basically made up from three layers known as the:
•
•
•
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous layer
The epidermis
The epidermis is the outer surface of the skin, and is made up from five layers, these being from top to bottom the:
•
•
•
•
•
Stratum corneum (horny layer) – the outermost surface of the skin
Stratum licidum (clear layer)
Stratum granulosum (granular layer)
Stratum spinosum (prickle cell layer)
Stratum basale (basal layer) – the layer just above the dermis
The bottom layer, the stratum basale, generates new cells that migrate slowly through the layers to the top layer, the stratum corneum. As the cells move into the higher layers, they flatten and
Identify Clients at Risk of Skin Breakdown
At the end of this module you will be able to:
•
Identify clients in the care environment/setting who may be at risk of impaired tissue viability and skin breakdown
•
Identify any pre-disposing disposing factors which might exacerbate risk
•
Identify any external factors which you should consider in your assessment
•
Identify the effects of a pressure sore on the client
Structure of the skin
In
n order to help you to understand how skin breakdown can happen, it is essential to have some understanding of how the skin is made up and what its’ its functions are.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, both by weight and surface area. It acts as a protective layer that covers the entire body, also acting as a two-way two barrier to prevent the inward or outward passage of water and electrolytes. The skin is involved in maintaining body temperature. It gathers sensory information from the environment and nd plays an active role in immunity, which acts to protect us from disease. The skin has many functions and in order to understand these it is helpful to gain an understanding of the structure of the skin.
© NCC Asset Management Ltd
1
Skin Lesions and Breakdown
V1.0111
Cross section of the structure of skin
The skin is a complex structure, but is basically made up from three layers known as the:
•
•
•
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous layer
The epidermis
The epidermis is the outer surface of the skin, and is made up from five layers, these being from top to bottom the:
•
•
•
•
•
Stratum corneum (horny layer) – the outermost surface of the skin
Stratum licidum (clear layer)
Stratum granulosum (granular layer)
Stratum spinosum (prickle cell layer)
Stratum basale (basal layer) – the layer just above the dermis
The bottom layer, the stratum basale, generates new cells that migrate slowly through the layers to the top layer, the stratum corneum. As the cells move into the higher layers, they flatten and