Your female client has a history of arthritis. After assessing her condition and finding stiffness with inactivity, pain relieved by rest, and crepitus, you realize she has which one of the following types of arthritis?

A. Rheumatic arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes joint inflammation, swelling, and morning stiffness that improves with movement. The client’s pain being relieved by rest makes RA less likely, since RA pain typically worsens with rest. B. Polymyalgia Rheumatica: This condition presents with muscle pain and stiffness in the shoulders, hips, and neck, often accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue, and weight loss. It does not typically cause crepitus or joint pain relieved by rest. C. Osteoarthritis (OA): OA is characterized by joint stiffness after inactivity, pain that improves with rest, and crepitus due to cartilage degeneration and bone-on-bone friction. These findings directly match the client’s symptoms. D. Gout: Gout presents as sudden, severe joint pain, redness, and swelling due to uric acid crystal deposition, commonly in the great toe. It is not associated with crepitus or pain relieved by rest, distinguishing it from osteoarthritis.