Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which statement is true regarding the skin's functionality?

1. It receives stimuli for heat, cold, pain, and pressure.

2. It becomes more elastic as a person ages.

3. It is the chemical substance that controls bodily functions.

4. The epidermis is the inner layer of the skin.

The correct answer is: It receives stimuli for heat, cold, pain, and pressure.

The statement that the skin receives stimuli for heat, cold, pain, and pressure accurately reflects one of the primary functions of the skin. The skin houses a variety of sensory receptors that allow it to detect different types of stimuli from the environment. These receptors are vital for the protection of the body, as they help an individual respond to potentially harmful situations. For instance, when the skin detects extreme heat or cold, it can trigger reflex actions, like moving away from the source, to prevent injury. Additionally, the sense of touch is integral in human interaction and communication. The other statements do not accurately represent the characteristics of the skin. For example, skin becomes less elastic with age due to a decrease in collagen production and changes in the dermal structure, rather than becoming more elastic. The statement about the skin being a chemical substance that controls bodily functions misrepresents the skin's role; while it does play a crucial role in secretion and protection, it is not a chemical substance itself. Lastly, the epidermis is actually the outermost layer of the skin, not the inner layer, making that statement incorrect as well.