You are called to care for a child who has fallen out of a third-story window.You arrive to find the child in his mother's arms.As you approach,you notice the child's skin is pale with dark spots of cyanosis.You would report this uncommon condition of blotchy skin as:
A) mottling.
B) flushed.
C) jaundiced.
D) cyanotic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mottling is a discoloration of the skin that can appear as blotchy patches of red, purple, or blue. This is often seen in critically ill or injured patients, and can be a sign of poor circulation, shock, or organ failure. Cyanosis, on the other hand, specifically refers to a blueish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen. While the child in this scenario is cyanotic, the presence of mottling suggests more severe and widespread circulatory or respiratory compromise. Flush refers to a redness of the skin due to irritation, fever, or other causes, while jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Neither of these terms would accurately describe the child's presentation in this scenario.

You Are Called to Care for a Child Who Has