Imagine you are the manager for beginning medical assistants who will be working in a dermatology office. In this activity, you are going to create a presentation for the new employees to review various diseases/disorders of the integumentary system.
Step 1: Research
Research four diseases/disorders of the integumentary system of your choice.Include images of patients with the condition, along with medical and layperson’s terms for the disorder with possible treatments for each condition.
1. Acne vulgaris
- Medical Term: Acne vulgaris
- Layperson's Term: Acne
- Description: Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It can result in pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the face, neck, chest, and back.
- Treatment: Treatment for acne includes over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and skincare routines such as cleansing and exfoliating.
2. Psoriasis
- Medical Term: Psoriasis
- Layperson's Term: Psoriasis
- Description: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to build up rapidly, leading to red, thick, and scaly patches on the skin. It can occur on any part of the body and is often triggered by stress, infections, or certain medications.
- Treatment: Treatment for psoriasis may include topical medications, phototherapy, oral medications, or biologic drugs.
3. Eczema
- Medical Term: Atopic dermatitis
- Layperson's Term: Eczema
- Description: Eczema is a condition that makes the skin red, itchy, and inflamed. It is common in children but can occur at any age. Eczema is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetics.
- Treatment: Treatment for eczema includes moisturizing creams, topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, and avoiding triggers such as certain fabrics or soaps.
4. Melanoma
- Medical Term: Melanoma
- Layperson's Term: Skin cancer
- Description: Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin, which gives the skin its color. It often appears as a dark mole that changes in size, shape, or color.
- Treatment: Treatment for melanoma depends on the stage of the cancer and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Step 2: Create Presentation
- Title Slide: Introduction to Diseases of the Integumentary System
- Slide 1: Acne vulgaris
- Image of patient with acne
- Medical term, layperson's term, description, and treatment
- Slide 2: Psoriasis
- Image of patient with psoriasis
- Medical term, layperson's term, description, and treatment
- Slide 3: Eczema
- Image of patient with eczema
- Medical term, layperson's term, description, and treatment
- Slide 4: Melanoma
- Image of patient with melanoma
- Medical term, layperson's term, description, and treatment
- Conclusion Slide: Summary of key points
- Q&A Slide: Opportunity for new employees to ask questions
By creating this presentation, new medical assistants will have a better understanding of common diseases and disorders of the integumentary system, allowing them to provide better care and support to patients in the dermatology office.