Question

While bathing a patient with liver dysfunction, the nurse notes yellow skin tone. The nurse should document this finding as?

1) Pallor
2) Erythema
3) Jaundice
4) Cyanosis

Answer 1

The yellow skin tone observed in a patient with liver dysfunction should be documented as jaundice, which is a result of bilirubin accumulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse observes a yellow skin tone while bathing a patient with liver dysfunction, the correct medical term for this symptom is jaundice. Jaundice is signified by a yellowish coloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to the accumulation of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. In cases where the liver is unable to effectively remove bilirubin from the bloodstream, the substance accumulates and imparts a yellow hue to the tissues. This condition is often seen in patients with liver disease, dysfunction, or liver cancer and is a significant clinical finding that should be carefully documented.