Health assessment on the nail examination

1. HEALTH ASSESSMENT
THE NAIL EXAMINATION
PREPARED BY:
USHA RANI KANDULA,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR,
DEPARTMENT OF ADULT HEALTH NURSING,
ARSI UNIVERSITY, ASELLA, ETHIOPIA,
EAST AFRICA.

2. THE NAIL EXAMINATION
Healthy nailbeds are level,
firm, and similar to the color of the skin.
The nail is smooth and uniform in texture.
Examine nails on both hands and feet.

3. Variations in color,
shape, or texture may indicate health problems.

4. NAIL COLOR
-Pink nails with rapid capillary refill indicate circulation
to the extremities.

5. PALE OR CYANOTIC NAIL BEDS
-Pale or cyanotic nailbeds are seen in clients with
-circulatory or respiratory disorders
-that result in anemia or hypoxia.

6. MEES LINES IN NAIL
-Mees’ lines, which are transverse white lines in
the nailbed.
-They are seen in clients who have experienced
severe illnesses or nutritional deficiencies.

7. MEES LINES IN NAIL

8. SPLINTER HEMORRHAGES
Splinter hemorrhages, which are small hemorrhages
under the nailbed.
They are associated with bacterial endocarditis or
trauma.

9. SPLINTER HEMORRHAGES

10. Black nails, resulting from blood under the nail, are
seen after local trauma.
Nails can also drop after blunt trauma.
■ White spots may indicate zinc deficiency.

11. CLUBBING NAILS
-The normal nail plate angle of 160°.
-Clubbing, in which the nail plate angle is 180° or more,
is associated with long-term hypoxic states, such as
occur with chronic lung disease.

12. CLUBBING NAILS

14. Spoon-shaped nails may result from iron deficiency.

15. NAIL TEXTURE
Nails are normally smooth in texture.
Thickened nails may result from poor circulation.

16. ONYCHOMYCOSIS
-A thick nail with yellowing is an indication of
fungal infection known as
onychomycosis.

17. BRITTLE NAILS
Brittle nails are seen with
hyperthyroidism,
malnutrition,
calcium and iron deficiency,
and repeated use of harsh nail products.

18. -Soft, boggy nails are seen with poor
oxygenation.

19. CHRONIC NAIL PICKING
-The tissue surrounding the nail should be smooth epidermis.
Chronic nail-picking results in callus formation.

20. PARONYCHIA
The surrounding skin becomes inflamed.
This condition, known as paronychia,
is painful and may require drainage if infection is
present.

21. THANKING YOU