Pale skin in a child indicates that the: select one: a. blood vessels near the skin are constricted. b. child's core body temperature is elevated. c. oxygen content in the blood is decreased. d. child is in severe decompensated shock.

blood vessels near the skin are constricted.

Explanation:

The narrowing of blood vessels is called vasoconstriction. it  is the contraction of the muscular walls of large arteries and arterioles of the dermis which supply it with blood .

vasoconstriction is one mechanism by which the body regulates and maintains mean arterial pressure  

This constriction, reduced blood flow to the superficial epidermis. Since blood flow conveys heat, this lead to heat retention in the body, thereby increasing vascular resistance. As a result the skin turns paler. Because less blood reaches the epidermis layer or skin surface. Therefore loss of heat through the   skin surface is reduced.

If the these blood vessels dilate,(vasodilation) the  blood vessels relaxed, more blood is transported to the skin surface therefore more heat is radiated out of the body and the skin returns to normal color.  

Vasodilation and constriction are for regulation of body heat .