Petechiae are best described as which of the following?

• A. Small red dots caused by a tourniquet applied too tightly
• B. Blood clots in vessels
• C. Ruptured capillaries due to infection
• D. Raised swelling under the skin

Answer: (A)

Petechiae are tiny pinpoint bleeding spots in the skin resulting from rupture of small capillaries. In a venipuncture setting, applying the tourniquet too tightly can raise local pressure enough to cause capillary rupture, which shows up as these small red dots. This description specifically captures the mechanism and appearance of petechiae as superficial capillary bleeding, not clots in vessels or a raised lump under the skin. If petechiae appear, the tourniquet should be released and the procedure reassessed, since these spots signal capillary trauma and may warrant choosing another site or proceeding with caution.