A nursing student on the medical surgical unit reads that a patient has cyanosis. When the student asks the mentor what cyanosis means, the mentor’s best response would be:
- “Cyanosis is the blue coloring of the skin and mucous membranes in the presence of poorly oxygenated blood.”
- “Cyanosis is the primary indication that the patient has pneumonia.”
- “Cyanosis is the blue coloring of skin and mucous membranes in the presence of highly oxygenated blood.”
- “Cyanosis means the patient has been exposed to cyanide poisoning.”
Answer: 1. “Cyanosis is the blue coloring of the skin and mucous membranes in the presence of poorly oxygenated blood.”
Cyanosis means that there is a blue color noted to the skin, mucous membranes, and nail beds, secondary to poorly oxygenated blood. When blood is fully oxygenated it appears bright red; when it lacks oxygen supply, the blood is a dark purple or bluish red.