Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders of Hair and Skin
What the exam tests
Know the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems as they relate to the head, face, and hands (cranium, facial bones, muscles of expression and mastication, nerves such as the trigeminal and facial). Know the circulatory and lymphatic systems, glands, and the integumentary system. Recognize common hair and scalp disorders (alopecia, dandruff, tinea, pediculosis) and skin disorders (comedones, papules, pustules, cysts, hyperpigmentation, dermatitis). Distinguish contagious from noncontagious conditions.
Traps to watch
Questions swap contagious and noncontagious. Tinea (ringworm) and pediculosis (lice) are contagious and require referral and no service. Alopecia areata is not contagious. Another trap: confusing a papule (raised, no pus) with a pustule (contains pus), or a comedo (plugged follicle) with a cyst. Also watch for nerves: the facial nerve controls muscles of expression; the trigeminal is the chief sensory nerve of the face. Anatomy questions often hinge on one word.
Worked example
A client has circular scaly patches with broken hairs on the scalp. Rule of thumb: suspect tinea capitis (contagious fungal infection); do not service, refer to a physician, and disinfect implements. Compare with alopecia areata (smooth, noninflamed patches, noncontagious), which still warrants referral but not the same urgency.
Rule of thumb
If it looks contagious, don't touch it-refer and disinfect.