Question

Critical Thinking Scenario Mr Andrews is complaining about shortness of breath He says he feels like he just cannot get enough oxygen. He is a dark-skinned patient and so it is difficult to determine if he is cyanotic or not. 18) What does cyanotic mean? 19) How do you assess for cyanosis in a Caucasian patient? 20) How do you assess for cyanosis in a dark-skinned patient? 21) What system is compromised in this scenario? Labeling Assign the labels in the list to the appropriate places on the figure where they can be felt on the body Arterial pulse points

Answer 1

Ans. 18. Cyanotic heart disease refers to a group of many different heart defects that are present at birth (congenital). They result in a low blood oxygen level. Cyanosis refers to a bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes.

Ans.19.   In light-skinned patients, cyanosis presents as a dark bluish tint to the skin and mucous membranes (which reflects the bluish tint of unoxygenated hemoglobin).

Ans 20. When the oxygen level has dropped only a small amount, cyanosis may be hard to detect. In dark-skinned people, cyanosis may be easier to see in the mucous membranes (lips, gums, around the eyes) and nails.But in dark-skinned patients, cyanosis may present as gray or whitish (not bluish) skin around the mouth, and the conjunctivae may appear gray or bluish.

Ans.21. Andrew is complaining the shortness of breath. But cyanosis is not determine. So , identify involvement of respiratory system.