FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

What do Heberden's nodes typically signify?

1. Osteoarthritis

2. Developmental hip dysplasia

3. Carpal tunnel syndrome

4. Meningeal irritation

The correct answer is: Osteoarthritis

Heberden's nodes are bony growths that can develop on the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers and are typically associated with osteoarthritis. These nodes result from the formation of osteophytes due to the degeneration of cartilage, which is a hallmark of osteoarthritis. The presence of Heberden's nodes indicates that the individual may be experiencing joint stress and wear, leading to characteristic changes in the joint structure associated with this degenerative condition. The other options represent different conditions that do not typically involve the specific formation of Heberden's nodes. For example, developmental hip dysplasia primarily affects the hip joint and involves abnormal formation of the hip socket rather than bony changes in the fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is related to compression of the median nerve at the wrist and does not produce bony growths in the fingers. Meningeal irritation affects the central nervous system and presents with different signs and symptoms unrelated to Heberden's nodes. Therefore, Heberden's nodes are a key clinical manifestation specifically linked to osteoarthritis.