Question

The nurse is assessing for changes in skin color of a dark-skinned client. The nurse finds which areas helpful in assessing for pallor or cyanosis? Select all.

A. Sclera
B. Tongue
C. Nail beds
D. Elbows and heels
E. Mucous membranes

Answer 1

Useful areas to check for pallor or cyanosis in dark-skinned patients include the sclera, tongue, nail beds, and mucous membranes; elbows and heels are not as helpful.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing for changes in skin color of a dark-skinned client, especially for signs of pallor or cyanosis, a nurse would find it helpful to inspect areas where discoloration might be more readily apparent due to less pigmentation. These areas include the sclera, which is the white of the eye, the tongue, the nail beds, and mucous membranes such as the gums and the interior of the lips. The elbows and heels, having harder, thicker skin, are not typically as useful in detecting color changes related to blood flow or oxygenation in dark-skinned individuals.