Your patient is cyanotic. What tint should their skin be?

• A. Red
• B. Purple
• C. Blue
• D. Yellow

Answer: (C)

Cyanosis presents as a blue tint of the skin and mucous membranes because blood is not carrying enough oxygen. When oxygen saturation drops, deoxygenated hemoglobin increases, making the skin appear blue, especially in areas like the lips, tongue, and nail beds. So a cyanotic patient would have blue-tinged skin. The other colors reflect different issues—red from flushing or high blood flow, purple from venous congestion or bruising, and yellow from jaundice due to bilirubin buildup. The key idea is that low oxygen makes the skin take on a blue tint.