Question

A client presents to the emergency department reporting bilateral cyanosis and pallor of the fingers after being out in the cold weather for 5 minutes. The toes are of normal color. What is a potential diagnosis for this client?

Answer 1

Answer: Raynaud's disease

Explanation:

Cyanosis refers to the bluish cast to the skin and mucous membranes. Bilateral cyanosis and pallor of the fingers means there is a bluish discoloration and blanching of the fingers.

Raynaud's disease causes some areas of the body to feel numb and cold in response to exposure to cold temperatures or stress. It involves the narrowing of the smaller arteries that supply blood to the skin, which limits blood circulation to affected areas. Those affected areas usually first turn white, then turn blue, cold and numb, then as circulation improves they may turn red, throb and tingle.