A client with cardiopulmonary disease receives a physical examination

A client with cardiopulmonary disease receives a physical examination performed by a nurse. Knowing the client history, the nurse is attentive when checking the nails for the presence of:

1. Clubbing
2. Paronychia
3. Beau’s lines
4. Splinter hemorrhages

ANSWER

ANS: 1
Clubbing of the nails is caused by a chronic lack of oxygen, such as occurs in heart or pulmonary disease. Paronychia is caused by local infection or trauma. Beau’s lines are caused by systemic illness such as severe infection or by injury to the nail. Splinter hemorrhages are caused by minor trauma, subacute bacterial endocarditis, or trichinosis (infection by the roundworm).