TMC Respiratory Care Boards Practice Exam

Erythema, which is the reddening of the skin due to increased blood flow, can be caused by various physiological and pathological conditions. The correct response highlights capillary congestion as a primary cause of erythema. When capillaries become engorged with blood due to dilation or increased blood flow, the skin takes on a reddish hue. This can occur in response to inflammation, infection, or increased temperature, resulting in localized or generalized reddening of the skin.

The other choices do not directly lead to erythema in the same way. For example, chronic dehydration may lead to dry skin and alterations in skin appearance, but it does not cause the dilation of blood vessels that results in reddening. Hypervitaminosis, excessive levels of vitamins in the body, can potentially affect skin health but is not a direct cause of erythema. Cold exposure causes vasoconstriction, which typically reduces blood flow to the skin, leading to paleness rather than redness. Thus, capillary congestion stands out as the most accurate cause of erythema.