Which of the following symptoms is associated with the term 'purpura'?

Which of the following symptoms is associated with the term 'purpura'?

• A. Yellowing of the skin
• B. Movable and compressible lesions
• C. Purple spots that do not blanch
• D. Bright red eye patches

Answer: (C)

Purpura refers to purple or red discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin. These spots are typically larger than petechiae and vary in size. One of the defining characteristics of purpura is that these spots do not blanch, meaning they do not change color when pressure is applied. This occurs because the underlying hemorrhage does not disappear with pressure, distinguishing purpura from other skin lesions. In contrast, the other symptoms listed describe different conditions or types of lesions. For instance, yellowing of the skin is known as jaundice and is often associated with liver dysfunction or other systemic issues. Movable and compressible lesions suggest a type of cyst or lipoma, which are not related to purpura. Bright red eye patches may refer to subconjunctival hemorrhages or other eye-related conditions but do not describe purpura itself. Recognizing that purpura specifically describes non-blanching purple spots is key to understanding this term and its clinical significance.

Purpura refers to purple or red discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin. These spots are typically larger than petechiae and vary in size. One of the defining characteristics of purpura is that these spots do not blanch, meaning they do not change color when pressure is applied. This occurs because the underlying hemorrhage does not disappear with pressure, distinguishing purpura from other skin lesions.

In contrast, the other symptoms listed describe different conditions or types of lesions. For instance, yellowing of the skin is known as jaundice and is often associated with liver dysfunction or other systemic issues. Movable and compressible lesions suggest a type of cyst or lipoma, which are not related to purpura. Bright red eye patches may refer to subconjunctival hemorrhages or other eye-related conditions but do not describe purpura itself. Recognizing that purpura specifically describes non-blanching purple spots is key to understanding this term and its clinical significance.