2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
While assessing a client’s skin, the nurse notes the presence of several large red-blue and purple areas on the client’s body that do not blanch when pressure is applied. The nurse documents this finding using which term?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The presence of large red-blue and purple areas on the skin that do not blanch under pressure indicates the presence of ecchymosis, which refers to bruising caused by bleeding under the skin.
Option A, psoriasis, is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches and does not describe non-blanching areas. Option B, anasarca, refers to generalized swelling due to fluid accumulation, not specific skin discoloration. Option C, petechiae, denotes small, pinpoint red spots caused by minor bleeding, which differ in size and appearance from the larger areas described. Thus, ecchymosis accurately reflects the observed symptoms.