Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What condition is most likely indicated by cold, numb fingertips that turn blue and then dark red in a patient diagnosed with lupus?

1. Chronic arterial insufficiency

2. This is a normal reaction when one feels very cold

3. Peripheral vascular disease

4. Raynaud's syndrome

The correct answer is: Raynaud's syndrome

The presence of cold, numb fingertips that change color—from blue to dark red—suggests a phenomenon associated with Raynaud's syndrome. This condition is characterized by episodic vasospasm of the small blood vessels in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress, leading to a characteristic triphasic color change: white (pallor), blue (cyanosis), and red (hyperemia) as blood flow returns. In the context of a patient diagnosed with lupus, which is an autoimmune condition that can affect the vascular system, the development of Raynaud's syndrome is not uncommon. It often occurs in patients with lupus due to the underlying vascular dysregulation and can be exacerbated by environmental factors such as cold. Other options present alternatives that may seem plausible, such as chronic arterial insufficiency or peripheral vascular disease, but these conditions typically manifest differently. Chronic arterial insufficiency usually results in pain and possibly ulcers, while peripheral vascular disease would typically exhibit symptoms related to claudication or impaired circulation, which do not fit the description of color changes experienced during episodes. The noted normal reaction to cold does not fully account for the specific symptoms and color changes described. Thus, Raynaud's syndrome aligns closely with both the symptoms presented and the patient's underlying