Why does my loved on look that way?

Intensive care patients require a large number of blood tests. Even when the laboratory (lab) tests are drawn correctly, bruising may occur. Many critical illnesses make a person prone to bruising. Bruising may occur because the illness makes it difficult for blood to clot. Patients with liver problems, infections, or poor nutrition bruise easily. The elderly, people who have been on blood thinners, or those who drink alcohol regularly are also at high risk for bruising. The face may have bruising and swelling after a head injury or brain surgery.

In some critical illnesses, the body may ooze straw-colored fluid out of the puncture sites from lab draws and from any break or tear in the skin. The oozing is a result of the swelling (the accumulation of fluid in the tissues). The straw-colored fluid is plasma that has been pushed or leaked into the tissues from bed rest, ventilator breathing, liver failure, heart failure, or poor nutrition.

Skin tears happen when bandages and tapes are removed from the skin. The nurse will use the gentlest tape/bandage available that will still stick to the skin. Bandages are necessary over wounds as well as to keep the intravenous lines and other tubes in place. Skin tears may be unavoidable in people who have taken steroids, have a history of smoking, or have poor nutrition. The frail elderly are also at high risk of skin tearing.