A nurse notices several reddish purple, nonblanchable spots of different sizes on the arms and legs of a patient with a low platelet count. How does the nurse distinguish ecchymosis from purpura?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ecchymosis is variable in size and a purpura is greater than 0.5 cm in diameter. This is an accurate statement. Ecchymosis does not blanch and purpura does blanch. Both of these lesions are nonblanchable. Ecchymosis has raised lesions and purpura has flat lesions. Both of these lesions are flat. Ecchymosis is irregularly shaped and purpura is round. There is no specified shape for either type of lesion.

A Nurse Notices Several Reddish Purple, Nonblanchable Spots of Different