Ohio State Board Nail Theory & Advanced Manicure Practice Exam

The condition that describes dark purplish spots usually resulting from physical injury is bruised nail beds. This discoloration occurs due to bleeding underneath the nail, often caused by trauma or injury to the finger or toe. When blood vessels break from impact, the blood collects beneath the nail, leading to the characteristic darkening observed.

Leukonychia refers to white spots or discoloration on the nail, which is unrelated to bruising but rather often caused by minor trauma or a systemic condition affecting the nail matrix. Melonychia involves a dark streak or brown discoloration of the nail due to increased melanin production and is not directly linked to injury. Nail pterygium is a condition where there is an abnormal growth of skin onto the nail plate, typically associated with diseases rather than injury.

Understanding the specific characteristics of these conditions helps highlight why bruised nail beds is the correct answer in this context.