What is the sequence of bruising stages?

What is the sequence of bruising stages?

• A. Immediately - red; 1-2 days purple/blue/black; 5-10 days green/yellow; 10-14 days yellow-brown
• B. Immediately - blue; 1-3 days red; 4-7 days yellow
• C. Immediately - green; 2-3 days purple; 5-7 days brown
• D. Immediately - red; 1-2 days purple/blue/black; 5-10 days green/yellow; 10-14 days yellow-brown/light brown

Answer: (D)

Bruising color changes reflect the chemical breakdown of blood trapped under the skin as healing occurs. Right after injury, fresh blood shows red from the presence of oxygenated blood and ongoing bleeding at the site. Within about one to two days, the bruise often appears purple, blue, or black as red blood cells break down and deoxygenated blood dominates the area. By roughly five to ten days, the color shifts to green and yellow because of the buildup of bile pigments like biliverdin and bilirubin as the body processes the blood. Around ten to fourteen days, the bruise typically fades to a yellow-brown or light brown as reabsorption of these pigments completes. This sequence—red initially, then purple/blue/black within a couple of days, then green/yellow in the following days, and finally yellow-brown as healing nears completion—matches the standard progression. Other sequences place colors out of order or assign incorrect timing to the stages, which is why this option is the best fit.

Bruising color changes reflect the chemical breakdown of blood trapped under the skin as healing occurs. Right after injury, fresh blood shows red from the presence of oxygenated blood and ongoing bleeding at the site. Within about one to two days, the bruise often appears purple, blue, or black as red blood cells break down and deoxygenated blood dominates the area. By roughly five to ten days, the color shifts to green and yellow because of the buildup of bile pigments like biliverdin and bilirubin as the body processes the blood. Around ten to fourteen days, the bruise typically fades to a yellow-brown or light brown as reabsorption of these pigments completes.

This sequence—red initially, then purple/blue/black within a couple of days, then green/yellow in the following days, and finally yellow-brown as healing nears completion—matches the standard progression. Other sequences place colors out of order or assign incorrect timing to the stages, which is why this option is the best fit.