Icterus is best described as which of the following?

Icterus is best described as which of the following?

• A. A yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera caused by bilirubin
• B. A blue discoloration of the nails
• C. A green discoloration of the plasma
• D. A red discoloration of the serum

Answer: (A)

Icterus signals jaundice, shown by a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and especially the sclera due to bilirubin buildup in the tissues. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin that the liver normally processes and excretes in bile. When bilirubin levels rise—whether from overproduction, impaired liver conjugation, or blocked bile flow—it accumulates and colors tissues yellow. The sclera often shows this change first, making scleral icterus a classic clue. The other color descriptions don’t fit bilirubin-related yellowing: blue nails point to cyanosis, green plasma can occur with biliverdin or certain dyes, and red serum isn’t a typical sign of jaundice.

Icterus signals jaundice, shown by a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and especially the sclera due to bilirubin buildup in the tissues. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin that the liver normally processes and excretes in bile. When bilirubin levels rise—whether from overproduction, impaired liver conjugation, or blocked bile flow—it accumulates and colors tissues yellow. The sclera often shows this change first, making scleral icterus a classic clue.

The other color descriptions don’t fit bilirubin-related yellowing: blue nails point to cyanosis, green plasma can occur with biliverdin or certain dyes, and red serum isn’t a typical sign of jaundice.