BHU NO - 2015
Pediatric Nursing
Easy
Cyanosis in a child can be seen in all the places mentioned below except?
Appeared in: BHU NO - 2015
Explanation
- The sclera, the white part of the eye, is the correct answer because it is not a site for assessing cyanosis.
- Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration due to deoxygenated blood, which is not visible in the avascular sclera.
- The sclera is the primary site to assess for jaundice (icterus), a yellow discoloration caused by elevated bilirubin levels.
- The other options—tongue, nail beds, and lips—are all classic sites for observing cyanosis due to their rich blood supply and thin overlying tissue.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: The tongue is a primary site for assessing central cyanosis because it is highly vascular and not affected by peripheral vasoconstriction from cold.
- Option C: Nail beds are a common and easily accessible site to check for peripheral cyanosis, which reflects poor circulation in the extremities.
- Option D: The lips are one of the most common places to observe cyanosis due to their thin skin and high concentration of superficial blood vessels.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Assessment sites for cyanosis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Rapid and accurate assessment of cyanosis is a critical nursing skill for detecting hypoxia, a potentially life-threatening condition.
- Differentiating between central cyanosis (tongue, mucous membranes) and peripheral cyanosis (nail beds, extremities) is vital. Central cyanosis indicates a systemic oxygenation problem (e.g., lung or heart disease), while peripheral cyanosis can be due to local issues like cold or poor circulation.
- What if the patient has dark skin? In darkly pigmented individuals, cyanosis can be difficult to detect on the skin. The nurse should prioritize assessing the mucous membranes, such as the tongue and conjunctivae, where color changes are more apparent.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the keyword 'except'. This indicates you are looking for the option that does not fit with the others.
- The core concept is 'cyanosis'. Recall the definition of cyanosis (bluish discoloration from low oxygen) and the common anatomical locations where it is assessed.
- Evaluate each option: 'Sclera', 'Tongue', 'Nail beds', 'Lips'.
- Mentally (or on paper) list the common sites for cyanosis assessment: lips, tongue, mucous membranes, nail beds.
- Notice that 'Tongue', 'Nail beds', and 'Lips' are all on this list.
- The 'Sclera' is the outlier. Recall that the sclera is used to assess for jaundice (yellowing). Therefore, it is the exception.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Assessment sites for cyanosis
- Stem keywords: Cyanosis, child, seen
- Lead-in keywords: except
- Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
- Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the location where cyanosis is NOT seen.
Question ID
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Reference Book
E6 Medicine Macleod Clinical Examination 15e p. 40-42
E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 319-321
E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 4 p. 53-55
Practise the full BHU NO - 2015
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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