Which sign is an early indication of pressure that resolves without tissue loss if the pressure is eliminated?

• A. Pallor or molting
• B. Dark red or purple discoloration
• C. Blanchable erythema
• D. Nonblanchable erythema

Answer: (C)

Blanchable erythema is the earliest, reversible sign of pressure-related skin change. When pressure is relieved, the redness fades because the superficial capillaries briefly dilate and then refill normally. This indicates the skin hasn’t suffered tissue loss yet and the damage is inhibitingly reversible. Other signs suggest more advanced injury: redness that does not blanch with pressure points to underlying tissue damage; dark red or purple discoloration can indicate deeper damage or bruising; pallor or skin peeling isn’t the typical early red warning signal that fades with pressure relief. So the ability of the redness to blanch and disappear after pressure is removed marks the earliest, reversible indication.