An obvious discoloration (black and blue) of the soft tissue at the injury site is called?

• A. Capillary bleeding
• B. Bruising
• C. Balance displacement
• D. Caliber

Answer: (B)

Discoloration of the soft tissue after an injury is bruising. When the skin or underlying tissues are damaged, small blood vessels leak blood into the surrounding area. That blood collects and then changes color as it breaks down, often turning red or purple at first and then black-and-blue as healing progresses. This is different from active bleeding from capillaries, which would present as ongoing bleeding rather than a settled color change. The other options don’t describe this visible change in tissue color, since they refer to concepts not related to a bruise.