Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose MED Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response
Published on: October 3, 2019
Color Does Matter: Nursing Assessment of Varying Skin Tones/Pigmentation
Brigit M Carter1, Desi Newberry, Christina Leonard
1American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, District of Columbia (Dr Carter); and Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina (Drs Newberry and Leonard).
Background:
The observation of color is an integral part of the nursing assessment. However, the current understanding of individual skin qualities and pigmentation has not yet been integrated thoroughly into foundational assessment courses, clinical education, simulation, and textbooks.
Evidence Acquisition:
Literature is scarce regarding racial groups, skin color, and physical assessment for patients across the lifespan, but even more so for the neonatal population. Historically, many nursing textbooks did not provide visual pictures or observational assessment strategies for the assessment of the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) population. This is improving in some nursing textbooks; however, the descriptors of and visual differences and anticipated assessment findings for the BIPOC population are not comprehensive.
Results:
Evidence-based assessment findings, which may occur in newborns with varying skin tones/pigmentations, are presented.
Implications For Practice And Research:
The most essential step to having an accurate assessment is acknowledging the importance of color awareness. Color blindness, while thought to support inclusivity, only contributes to exclusion of one of the most important components of a person's being-their color.
Related Concept Videos
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Nursing Assessment
The nurse collects all aspects of the patient's health in the initial assessment, establishing priorities for ongoing focused assessments...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management

