A woman who has had rheumatoid arthritis for years is noticing that her fingers are starting to drift to the side.The nurse knows that this condition is commonly referred to as:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ulnar deviation is the term used to describe the fingers drifting towards the ulnar side (away from the thumb) in rheumatoid arthritis. Radial drift, on the other hand, refers to the opposite direction (towards the thumb). Swan-neck deformity and Dupuytren's contracture are also common deformities associated with rheumatoid arthritis, but they do not involve finger drifting to the side. Swan-neck deformity is characterized by hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joint and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint, while Dupuytren's contracture involves the thickening and shortening of the palmar fascia leading to finger flexion contractures.

A Woman Who Has Had Rheumatoid Arthritis for Years Is