Question

A Caucasian patient with pale skin is treated for low blood pressure with medication that elevates the blood pressure; however, the skin's pallor does not change. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the pallor in this patient?

1) respiratory disease that results in the blood being poorly oxygenated
2) the presence of hematomas in the skin
3) hypertension caused by excessive use of the medication
4) anemia

Answer 1

The patient's persistent pallor despite treatment for low blood pressure is most likely due to anemia, a condition where not enough hemoglobin in the blood leads to oxygen deprivation in organs, causing the skin to appear pale.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pallor in the patient's skin that does not change despite treatment for low blood pressure is likely due to anemia. Anemia is a condition in which there is not enough hemoglobin in the blood to carry oxygen to body cells, which leads to a lack of oxygen in organs and can result in the skin appearing pale. Anemia can be caused by a loss of blood, destruction of red blood cells, or a lack of red blood cell production. While hypertension from excessive use of medication, respiratory disease causing poorly oxygenated blood, or the presence of hematomas could potentially affect skin color, they are either less likely to cause persistent pallor or would present with other color changes in the skin such as cyanosis or bruising.