FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

Heberden's nodes are typically found in which joints?

1. Shoulders

2. Distal joints of fingers and toes

3. Hip joints

4. Elbow joints

The correct answer is: Distal joints of fingers and toes

Heberden's nodes are bony growths that occur at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers, which are found furthest away from the body's center. These nodes are a characteristic sign of osteoarthritis, particularly in the fingers, and are a result of joint degeneration and inflammation. The presence of Heberden's nodes typically correlates with the wear and tear of the cartilage, leading to the formation of osteophytes, which causes the nodes to appear. The other joint options listed do not typically exhibit Heberden's nodes. The shoulder, hip, and elbow joints are not primarily associated with this condition, as Heberden's nodes specifically relate to the distal joints of the fingers and toes where osteoarthritis most commonly manifests in this manner. Thus, the correct association of Heberden's nodes with the distal joints emphasizes their role in the pathology of osteoarthritis and their specific anatomical location.