Adventist University of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF NURSING
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT

THE SKIN, HAIR,

AND NAILS
EVIDENCE

By: Dale Ros A. Collamat

* Ensure a comfortable room
temperature.
.

* Wash your hands thoroughly.

.

* Apply clean gloves if y ou anticipate

contact with a skin lesion and during
inspection of the scalp.
.

* Examination of the skin involves

inspection and palpation.
.

* Expose only areas being directly

examined to facilitate privacy,
decrease the patient’s anxiety, and
shoe consideration for possible
cultural concerns.
THE SKIN

Note any distinctive odor emanating from the

skin.

Inspect for generalized color variations.

Inspect for skin integrity, noting any skin

breakdown.

Inspect for lesions. Note size, shape, location,

distribution and configuration. Measure with a
centimeter ruler.
Palpate texture of skin, using palmar
surface of three middle fingers.
Palpate temperature and moisture of
skin using dorsal side of hand.
Palpate mobility and turgor by pinching
up skin over sternum.
Palpate to detect edema by pressing
thumbs over feet or ankles.

4
THE SCALP AND HAIR
Inspect the scalp and hair for general color and
condition.
Inspect amount and distribution.
Inspect and palpate for cleanliness, thickness,
texture, oiliness or dryness, lesions, and parasites.
THE NAILS
Inspect nail grooming and cleanliness.
Inspect nail colors and markings.
Inspect shape of nails.
Palpate to assess texture.
Palpate consistency, noting whether nail plate is
attached to nail bed.
Test for capillary refill.
Thank You