Your patient asks you about the small,reddish purple discolorations of the skin,less than 0.5 cm in diameter.You inform the patient that this is known as which of the following?

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Petechiae are violaceous (red-purple)discolorations of less than 0.5 cm in diameter.Petechiae do not blanch.They can indicate an increased bleeding tendency or embolism; causes include intravascular defects and infections.Ecchymosis is a violaceous discoloration of varying size,also called a black-and-blue mark.It is caused by extravasation of blood into the skin as a result of trauma; heparin or Coumadin use; or liver dysfunction.Purpura is a condition characterized by the presence of confluent petechiae or confluent ecchymosis over any part of the body.Purpura is caused by hemorrhage into the skin and can be the result of decreased platelet formation.Spider angiomas,a type of telangiectasia,are bright red and star-shaped.Most often these lesions are found on the face,neck,and chest.There is often a central pulsation noted with pressure,and this results in blanching in the extensions.

Your Patient Asks You About the Small,reddish Purple Discolorations of the Skin,less