Skin Changes

Question 1

What are the 6 P’s, and what do they indicate?

Answer 1

Parasthesia, Perishing cold, Pulselesness, Pain, Paralysis, and Pallor

They indicate arterial occlusion, causing acute limb ischemia

Question 2

Venous Occlusion is signified by what common presenting signs?

Answer 2

Superficial varicosities and edema

Question 3

What is Stasis Dermatitis?

Answer 3

Reddish/Purplish/Brownish discoloration in skin that develops over time due to hemosiderin deposits staining the skin from red cell breakdown.

Occurs with decreased flow or “stasis” on venous side of circulation

Question 4

Define Cellulitis

Answer 4

Inflammation of skin and subcutaneous tissue. Most often it is infectious.

Sginified by marked erythema, increased warmth/swelling, and sometimes skin weeping without open sores

Question 5

Give an example of an acute skin change associated with cardiopulmonary disease.

Answer 5

Bacterial Endocarditis:

irregular macules on soles/palms, nodules on fingers/toes, and microemboli in the periphery of the nail bed

Question 6

Give an example of a chronic skin change associated with cardipulmonary disease

Answer 6

Xanthelasma: xanthomas on eyelids, eruptive xanthomas on the shoulder,

COPD: Clubbing of the fingers

Question 7

What are some symptoms that differentiate vascular claudication vs. neurogenic claudication

Answer 7

Weakness after walking (neurogenic)
Stopping activity makes it better (vascular)
Bending over or sitting makes the claudication better (neurogenic)
Walking uphill makes it worse (vascular)
Walking downhill makes it worse (neurogenic)
Pulses are absent (vascular) vs present (neurogenic)