Clinical Assessment of Skin Color - Savvas

TABLE 5-12

Clinical Assessment of Skin Color

Characteristic

White or Light-skinned Person

Dark-skinned Person

Pallor Vasoconstriction present

Erythema, Inflammation Cutaneous vasodilation

Cyanosis Hypoxia of tissue

Ecchymosis Deoxygenated blood seeps from broken blood vessel into subcutaneous tissue

Petechiae Intradermal or submucosal bleeding

Jaundice Accumulated bilirubin in tissues

Skin takes on white hue, which is color of collagen fibers in subcutaneous connective tissue.

Skin is red.

Skin, especially in earlobes, as well as in lips, oral mucosa, and nailbeds, has bluish tinge.

Skin changes from purple-blue to yellowgreen to yellow.

Round, pinpoint purplish red spots are present on skin.

Skin, mucosa membranes, and sclera of eyes are yellow. Light-colored stools and dark urine often occur.

Skin loses underlying red tones. Brown-skinned person appears yellow-brown. Black-skinned person appears ashen gray.

Mucous membranes, lips, and nailbeds are pale or gray.

Palpate for increased warmth of skin, edema, tightness, or induration of skin. Streaking and redness are difficult to assess.

Lips, tongue, conjunctiva, palms, soles of feet are pale or ashen gray.

Apply light pressure to create pallor; in cyanosis, tissue color returns slowly by spreading from periphery to the center.

Oral mucous membrane or conjunctiva show color changes from purple-blue to yellowgreen to yellow.

Obtain history of trauma and discomfort. Note swelling and induration.

Oral mucosa or conjunctiva show purplish red spots if person has black skin.

Sclera of eyes, oral mucosa membranes, palms of hand, and soles of feet have yellow discoloration.

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