The nurse is assessing an 84-year-old client.The nurse notes the presence of edema in both knees and ankles.The client complains of joint stiffness and pain upon awakening.The nurse would suspect which of the following disorders?

Question

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Edema in the knees and ankles and joint stiffness and pain upon awakening are all common symptoms of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects older adults. Bursitis typically presents with localized swelling and tenderness in the affected joint, while gouty arthritis often presents with sudden onset of severe pain and swelling in the affected joint. Rheumatoid arthritis typically presents with symmetric joint pain and swelling, but edema may not be as prominent as in osteoarthritis.

The Nurse Is Assessing an 84-Year-Old Client