Critical Thinking: Anatomy of Skin, Discuss the Function and Layers (Essay Sample)

Critical Thinking
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Question # 2: An older patient complaints of dry, itchy skin. She states that she is a very clean person because she takes a hot bath daily and always uses plenty of soap. What health teaching is indicated?
Answer
The patient needs awareness that bathing with extremely hot water can directly kill the cells of the epidermal layer of the skin causing blisters, itching and dry skin.
Question 1
Describe how you would educate the patient the "anatomy of skin." Be sure to discuss the function and layers.
Answer:
First, I would highlight the fundamental functions of the skin which encompasses offering a protective barriers against pathogens and external pressure or abrasions, controlling the body temperature aspects and creating a reservoir to store body fat. I would further elaborate that the skin is made of several layers sub cutis, dermis and epidermis. I would further point out that epidermis is the outer layer of the skin made up of keratinocytes and melanocytes. The epidermis is composed of distinct 5 layers which converge in aiding with body protection and in rebuilding the skin surface. The dermis is strategically situated below the epidermis, and it’s mainly composed of sweat glands, hair follicles, blood and lymph vessels. The overall role of the dermis layer is to regulate and control body temperature and furnish the epidermis with nutrients. In addition, dermis also contains sebaceous glands which aids to maintain the integrity of the skin and make it supple. The sub cutis contains the adipose tissue which is a fat reservoir. The adipose tissue acts as both a shock absorber and heat insulator to prevent body heat loss during extremely cold conditions.
Question 2
Discuss how you would educate the patient on “why she suffers from dry, itchy skin”
Answer:
First, I would expound that the skin organ is extremely sensitive to the external environment and its integrity is highly depended on how the external environment is in harmony with it. I would further point out that the bathing soap being used at the moment could be containing chemical irritants such as sodium lauryl sulfate which according to experts is a potential chemical which triggers itchiness and may also lead to skin rashes. Also, I would highlight that the bathing water being used by the patient may be hard water and hence deposit soap sentiments on the patients skin leading to irritation. In addition, the calcium components found on the soap may also be the source of irritation and dryness especially to individuals with extreme sensitive and chemical allergen intolerant people.
Also, I would highlight that bathing with extremely hot water can directly kill the cells of the epidermal layer of the skin causing blisters, itching and dry skin. Lastly, I would highlight that the core reason of the skin rashness could be having frequent or long baths. To expound on this, I would quote that the skin naturally produces oils to shield it from the external abrasions and harsh aura and when these oils are often washed away due to frequent or long bathing hours may leave the skin itchy and dry.