Cyanosis
Type: Symptom
Definition
A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
Clinical Details
Because the collapsed lung cannot adequately oxygenate the bloodstream, oxygen levels throughout the body fall dangerously low. This lack of oxygenated hemoglobin causes the lips, fingertips, and skin to take on a pale, bluish, or purplish tint. It is a late and highly dangerous sign of respiratory failure.