ATI RN
Integumentary System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The epidermis is primarily composed of which type of cells?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The epidermis is primarily keratinocytes, epithelial cells that produce keratin, forming its stratified layers from basale to corneum, comprising about 90% of its cells. Fibroblasts, in the dermis, make collagen. Adipocytes, fat cells, dominate the hypodermis. Chondrocytes form cartilage, not skin. Keratinocytes' prevalence and role in barrier formation define the epidermis, making them the correct cell type.
Question 2 of 5
Which skin layer contains blood vessels that help regulate body temperature by dilating or constricting in response to environmental changes?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dermis contains blood vessels that dilate (to release heat) or constrict (to retain heat) in response to temperature changes, aiding thermoregulation. The epidermis is avascular, the hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue) has fewer vessels and focuses on insulation, not active regulation. The dermis's vascular network, adjusting blood flow, makes it the correct layer.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following matches the definition: A full thickness skin loss involving damage or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to but not through underlying fascia, infection and/or necrosis may be present?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Stage III wound is defined as full-thickness skin loss with damage or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to, but not through, the underlying fascia, and it may include infection or necrosis. Stage I involves only the epidermis (non-blanchable redness), Stage II extends into the dermis (partial thickness, like a blister), and Stage IV goes beyond the fascia into muscle, bone, or supporting structures. The description matches Stage III precisely, as it specifies subcutaneous involvement without breaching the fascia, making it the correct classification.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following is another name for blackheads associated with acne?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Comedones are the technical term for blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones) in acne, caused by clogged hair follicles with sebum and dead skin. Pustules are pus-filled pimples, distinct from blackheads. Sebaceous refers to oil glands, not a lesion type. Eccrine relates to sweat glands, unrelated to acne. Blackheads are specifically open comedones, where the pore remains open, oxidizing the contents to a dark color, making comedones the correct term.
Question 5 of 5
The skin accounts for what percentage of the body weight?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and its weight relative to total body weight is a well-established fact in anatomy. It constitutes approximately 7% of an average person's body weight, though this can vary slightly depending on factors like hydration, fat content, and individual size. For a 70 kg (154 lb) person, this equates to about 4.9 kg (11 lb) of skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Options suggesting 2% or less than 2% significantly underestimate the skin's mass, as even the epidermis alone, though thin, covers a vast surface area (about 1.5-2 square meters in adults). A 10% estimate overshoots the typical range, as it would imply an unrealistically heavy skin mass for most individuals. The 7% figure is widely accepted in medical and biological contexts, reflecting the skin's substantial role in protection, thermoregulation, and sensation, and accounting for its multiple layers and associated structures like glands and hair.