What type of appearance should the nurse expect to see in a patient with polycythemia who presents for surgery?
  1. Pale appearance and flushed skin
  2. Yellow appearance of the skin and sclera
  3. A bronze appearance on the chest and perineum
  4. A ruddy-blue appearance in the face, hands and feet
Explanation
Answer: D-A patient who presents with polycythemia will have a ruddy-blue appearance in the face, hands and feet. Polycythemia results in increased numbers of red blood cells and pooling of the blood in some of the capillaries. The condition may also lead to increased white blood cell counts and platelet counts. A patient with polycythemia may complain of itchy skin or have symptoms of phlebitis as well.
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