Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

What might indicate chronic lung inflammation in a patient?

1. Elevated blood pressure

2. Late clubbing of fingers

3. Blue discoloration of lips

4. Swollen lymph nodes

The correct answer is: Late clubbing of fingers

Late clubbing of fingers is indeed indicative of chronic lung inflammation, particularly in conditions affecting the lungs such as chronic bronchitis or lung cancer. Clubbing occurs when there is prolonged hypoxia, which can be associated with chronic lung diseases. The lack of oxygen prompts changes in the soft tissue under the nails, leading to an enlargement of the fingertips and a change in the angle between the nail and the fingertip. This physical finding can be a signal of underlying pathophysiological processes related to chronic respiratory issues. In contrast, elevated blood pressure may not be directly related to lung inflammation, as it often reflects cardiovascular conditions rather than pulmonary ones. Blue discoloration of the lips typically indicates acute hypoxia or lack of oxygen, while swollen lymph nodes often suggest an infectious process or malignancy rather than inflammation specific to the lungs. Therefore, late clubbing serves as a distinct marker for chronic lung inflammation due to its association with long-standing hypoxemia resulting from respiratory disease.