Question

Patients that are suffering from COVID-19 are often put on mechanical ventilators. A ventilator assists with breathing when breathing on your own is too difficult. The bronchiole tree can accumulate mucous and the person can also have a hard time exchanging air with the atmosphere. If a person is oxygen deficient, one sign would be that some body parts might turn cyanotic or bluish.

List at least three signs and symptoms that indicate a person may be cyanotic and are having respiratory problems. Explain each answer.

Answer 1

1. The skin of peripheral organs like fingers and toes look blue.

• This is due to decreased circulation of blood and oxygen in these parts.

2.Decreaed temperature of fingers and toes.

• Fingers and toes appear cool as compared to temperature of other body parts. It is associated wil decreased circulation of blood.

3.Body parts (fingers, toes) look normal after massaging or gently rubbing.

• Massaging or rubbing promotes blood flow due to which blueish colour vanishes and the temperature of fingers and toes arrive to normal.