The nurse assesses changes in the patient's fingers. The fingertips look swollen, and the nails seem to angle downward. How should the nurse proceed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

These symptoms suggest clubbing of the fingers, which can be a sign of pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Further assessment and diagnostic testing may be necessary. An X-ray of the hands or asking about a hand injury would not provide relevant information in this case, and asking about diabetes is not directly related to the symptoms described.

The Nurse Assesses Changes in the Patient's Fingers