What is Cyanosis ?

Admin June 11, 2018
What is Cyanosis ?

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:

  1. “Cyanosis is the blue coloring of the skin and mucous membranes in the presence of poorly oxygenated blood.”
  2. “Cyanosis is the primary indication that the patient has pneumonia.”
  3. “Cyanosis is the blue coloring of skin and mucous membranes in the presence of highly oxygenated blood.”
  4. “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.

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