What is non-blanchable erythema?

• A. Redness that does not blanch with pressure, indicating an early injury
• B. Redness that blanches with pressure
• C. Pale skin when pressed
• D. Purple discoloration

Answer: (A)

Non-blanchable erythema means there is redness in a localized area that does not fade when you apply light pressure. This indicates that the blood vessels in that spot aren’t refilling normally, which can signal tissue damage from pressure even though the skin remains intact. You test this by pressing briefly; if the redness persists after you lift your finger, it’s non-blanchable and raises concern for an early pressure injury, especially over bony prominences. In contrast, redness that blanches with pressure is not immediately concerning for tissue injury, pale skin that blanchs is normal perfusion, and purple discoloration may point to deeper tissue injury or bruising rather than a superficial, non-blanchable sign.