A patient has long-standing pulmonary disease and chronic hypoxia. The student assesses the patient's fingertips and notices bulbous enlargement of the distal segment of the digits. How does the student document this finding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clubbing is the selective bulbous enlargement of the end (distal segment) of a digit (finger or toe) and is commonly associated with diseases that interfere with oxygenation, such as bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, lung abscess, and congenital heart disease. Edema is swelling caused by fluid retention. The normal angle of the fingernail at the nail plate/proximal end of the nail is 160 degrees or less. Angling would describe an angle of >180 degrees indicates clubbing. Osteoarthropathy is a generic term for any disease of bone or joint.

A Patient Has Long-Standing Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Hypoxia