What color and texture are ulcers in arterial insufficiency?

• A. Red and moist
• B. Yellow, crusty
• C. Pink and shiny
• D. Black and dry

Answer: (D)

Arterial insufficiency ulcers are driven by inadequate blood flow, so the tissue becomes ischemic and necrotic. This produces a dry wound bed with a black eschar, reflecting dead tissue and minimal moisture or granulation. The surrounding skin is often cool and pale, and wounds tend to be small, deep, and well defined. That combination—black color with a dry, necrotic texture—is why black and dry is the best description. In contrast, red and moist would point toward healing or venous ulcers with oozing, pink and shiny suggests viable, healthy tissue or early healing, and yellow, crusty would imply slough or crust from drainage rather than the dry necrosis typical of arterial ulcers.