The nurse is assessing a client with liver disease and notes that the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae are yellowish in color. Which term is most appropriate for the nurse to use to describe this condition when documenting in the medical record?

Question

1. Uremia.
2. Cyanosis.
3. Jaundice.
4. Carotenemia.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3

The nurse's findings indicate jaundice, which is due to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice is visible in the sclerae, oral mucosa, junction of hard and soft palate, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. Uremic skin is pale and yellow, but is associated with renal, and not liver, disease. The yellow tinge seen in the patient with uremic skin is very pale and does not affect conjunctivae or mucous membranes. Cyanotic skin is bluish in color. Carotenemic skin has a yellow-orange tinge. The yellow-orange tinge seen in the client with carotenemia is most visible in palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This client would not exhibit yellowing of sclerae or mucous membranes.