NBCSN Nationally Certified School Nurse Practice Exam 2025 - Free School Nurse Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

Carotenemia is characterized by the yellowing of the skin caused by an excessive intake of beta-carotene, which is a pigment found in many fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are orange or yellow in color, like carrots and sweet potatoes. Unlike jaundice, which results from elevated bilirubin levels typically due to liver conditions, carotenemia does not result from liver dysfunction and does not affect the sclera of the eyes. The condition is generally harmless, and the yellowing of the skin typically resolves once the beta-carotene intake is reduced.

In contrast, cholestasis is a condition related to bile flow obstruction, leading to increased bile acids in the bloodstream, whereas hyperbilirubinemia specifically refers to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, typically leading to jaundice. Hence, while jaundice, cholestasis, and hyperbilirubinemia all involve different biochemical pathways or conditions involving the liver or bile, carotenemia is distinctly associated with dietary beta-carotene and is not indicative of any underlying disease state.