Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 67%
Practice
The nurse assesses a patient who has numerous petechiae on both arms. Which question should the nurse ask the patient?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: 'Do you take medication containing salicylates?' Petechiae are tiny, pinpoint, red or purple spots on the skin due to bleeding under the skin. Salicylates, which are found in medications like aspirin, interfere with platelet function and can lead to petechiae and ecchymoses. Asking about salicylate-containing medications is crucial in this situation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they are not directly related to the development of petechiae.