What term describes a bright red flush on the skin that appears after pressure is relieved?

• A. Reactive hyperemia
• B. Nonblanchable erythema
• C. Blanchable erythema
• D. Erythema multiforme

Answer: (A)

Reactive hyperemia is the temporary red flush that appears when blood flow returns to skin after pressure is released. When pressure is applied, vessels are compressed and blood flow is reduced; once you lift the pressure, the vessels dilate to restore perfusion, causing a bright red flush. This is a normal, transient response of intact capillaries. It helps distinguish from redness that indicates tissue damage, which may persist and not blanch with pressure. Blanchable erythema describes redness that fades under gentle fingertip pressure and isn’t specifically about the post-pressure flush, while nonblanchable erythema suggests possible tissue injury. Erythema multiforme is unrelated and refers to a hypersensitivity skin reaction.