Which skin changes may occur with terminal illness?

• A. Skin becomes rapidly smooth and pink
• B. Edema, bruising, dryness, and venous pooling
• C. Skin color returns to normal
• D. Skin grows hair quickly

Answer: (B)

In terminal illness, the skin changes reflect advancing systemic decline: fluid shifts, reduced perfusion, and dehydration all alter the skin’s appearance. Edema develops as fluids accumulate and capillary integrity wanes; bruising occurs when vessels are fragile and clotting may be impaired; dryness appears from dehydration and reduced sweat production; venous pooling happens in dependent areas as circulation slows, often giving a dusky, mottled look. Taken together, these signs—edema, bruising, dryness, and venous pooling—are commonly seen as life draws to a close.

The other patterns don’t fit this stage of illness. Skin that becomes rapidly smooth and pink isn’t typical when circulation is compromised; in many terminal cases the skin is pallid or mottled and cool rather than pink and smooth. Skin color returning to normal is unlikely as the body’s systems decline, and rapid hair growth isn’t a characteristic of end-of-life changes.