Assessment Variations In Light And Dark Skinned Persons Flashcards
What is the appearance of cyanosis in light-skinned persons?
Grayish blue tone, especially in nail beds, earlobes, lips, mucous membranes, palms, and soles
Cyanosis indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood.
How does cyanosis appear in dark-skinned persons?
Ashen or gray color most easily seen in the conjunctiva of the eye, mucous membranes, and nail beds
This variation is important for assessing oxygen levels in patients with darker skin.
What colors indicate ecchymosis in light-skinned individuals?
Dark red, purple, yellow, or green color, depending on age of bruise
Ecchymosis refers to bruising and color changes can indicate the age of the bruise.
What is the typical appearance of ecchymosis in dark-skinned individuals?
Purple to brownish-black. Hard to see unless occurring in an area of light pigmentation
The visibility of bruising can vary greatly based on skin tone.
What is the indicator of erythema in light-skinned persons?
Reddish tone, increased skin temperature may be present from inflammation
Erythema is a sign of inflammation and can indicate underlying issues.
How does erythema manifest in dark-skinned persons?
Deeper brown or purple skin tone, increased skin temperature may be present from inflammation
The inflammatory response can be assessed differently in individuals with darker skin.
What is the appearance of jaundice in light-skinned persons?
Yellowish color of skin, sclera, fingernails, palms, and oral mucosa
Jaundice indicates a buildup of bilirubin in the body, often related to liver function.
How does jaundice present in dark-skinned persons?
Yellowish green color most obviously seen in sclera of eye, palms, and soles
It is important to differentiate between true jaundice and yellow eye pigmentation in dark-skinned individuals.
What is pallor and how does it appear in light skin?
Pale skin color that may appear white or ashen; also seen on lips, nail beds, and mucous membranes
Pallor can indicate anemia or other underlying health issues.
Describe how pallor appears in dark-skinned individuals.
Lack of underlying red tone; may appear yellowish-brown in lighter dark-skinned persons, ashen or gray in darker dark-skinned persons
Observing pallor in dark skin requires careful assessment as it may not be as visually apparent.
What are petechiae?
Lesions appearing as small, reddish-purple pinpoints, best seen on abdomen and buttocks
Petechiae can indicate bleeding disorders or other medical conditions.
How are petechiae observed in dark-skinned persons?
Hard to see; may be seen in the buccal mucosa of the mouth or conjunctiva of the eye
This highlights the importance of examining mucous membranes in darker skin tones.
How is a rash assessed in light-skinned individuals?
May be seen and felt with light palpation
Rashes can vary in presentation based on skin type and condition.
How does a rash present in dark-skinned persons?
Not easily seen; may be felt with light palpation
Dark skin may obscure the visibility of certain rashes.
What is the typical healing appearance of a scar in light-skinned individuals?
Generally heals, showing narrow scar line
Scar healing can be influenced by skin type and individual healing processes.
