Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Heberden's nodes are typically associated with which condition?

1. A) Rheumatoid arthritis

2. B) Degenerative joint disease

3. C) Psoriatic arthritis

4. D) Septic arthritis

The correct answer is: B) Degenerative joint disease

Heberden's nodes are bony growths that develop on the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers and are characteristic of osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease. This condition results from the wear and tear of cartilage that cushions the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and the formation of these nodes. The presence of Heberden's nodes specifically indicates the degenerative changes associated with osteoarthritis rather than inflammatory or infectious conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or septic arthritis. These other conditions manifest with different types of joint involvement and may have additional systemic symptoms. Therefore, the association of Heberden's nodes with degenerative joint disease highlights their significance as a clinical feature indicative of this particular condition.