The nurse examines a patient who has asthma and chronic hypoxemia. The nurse would expect to find which condition of the nails?

Choice A reason: Clubbing, characterized by bulbous nail bed enlargement, is associated with chronic hypoxemia from conditions like asthma or COPD. It results from long-term low oxygen levels, making it the expected finding in this patient with chronic respiratory issues. Choice B reason: Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection unrelated to hypoxemia or asthma. Clubbing is directly linked to chronic oxygen deficiency, so this is not the expected nail condition in this patient’s context. Choice C reason: Spooning (koilonychia) is associated with iron deficiency anemia, not hypoxemia or asthma. Clubbing is the nail abnormality seen in chronic respiratory conditions, so this is incorrect for the patient’s condition. Choice D reason: Paronychia is an infection around the nail, typically from trauma or bacteria, not hypoxemia. Clubbing is the hallmark nail change in chronic asthma with low oxygen, so this is not the expected finding.