Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What is NOT a characteristic typically associated with arterial wounds and ulcers?

1. Thin and shiny skin

2. Hot with red skin

3. Diminished pulses

4. Dependent rubor

The correct answer is: Hot with red skin

Hot with red skin is not a characteristic typically associated with arterial wounds and ulcers. Instead, arterial ulcers are often linked with cool or cold skin due to poor blood flow resulting from arterial disease. The skin can appear pale or have a bluish tint, particularly if there is significant ischemia. The presence of thin and shiny skin is a common feature associated with arterial insufficiency, as decreased blood flow can lead to atrophy of the skin and loss of hair. Diminished pulses are also indicative of arterial issues, as they reflect reduced blood circulation. Dependent rubor, or a reddish color that appears when the limb is in a dependent position, is a typical characteristic of arterial insufficiency and highlights the body's struggle to maintain proper blood flow. These features combined indicate inadequate arterial supply to the affected areas, emphasizing why hot, red skin is not a standard sign in these cases.