A nurse is collecting data from a client who has osteoarthritis of the knee. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale Malaise is a general feeling of discomfort or illness that is more commonly associated with systemic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis rather than the localized wear-and-tear of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage. Since it is not a systemic autoimmune disease, patients typically do not experience the generalized exhaustion or constitutional symptoms that are hallmarks of inflammatory arthritis types that affect the whole body. Choice B rationale While muscle weakness can occur secondary to disuse of a painful joint, it is not a primary diagnostic finding expected specifically for osteoarthritis of the knee. Weakness is often a late-stage consequence of the patient limiting their activity to avoid pain. The nurse focuses on joint-specific symptoms during the assessment. In osteoarthritis, the pathology is centered on the joint space narrowing and bone spur formation, rather than a primary neuromuscular deficit or an acute muscle pathology. Choice C rationale Fever is a systemic sign of inflammation or infection and is not a characteristic finding in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is considered a non-inflammatory joint disease, although mild localized swelling can occur. The presence of a fever would instead suggest a septic joint, gout, or a systemic inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis. In a standard case of knee osteoarthritis, the nurse would expect the skin over the joint to be cool and the patient to be afebrile. Choice D rationale Crepitus is a classic assessment finding in osteoarthritis, characterized by a grating or popping sensation felt or heard during joint movement. This occurs because the protective cartilage has worn away, causing the irregular bone surfaces to rub against each other. It is a direct result of joint space narrowing and the presence of osteophytes. Identifying crepitus helps the nurse confirm the mechanical degradation of the knee joint, which is the primary pathological process in this degenerative condition.