Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

Onychogryposis is characterized by which of the following?

1. Thickened, brittle nails due to infection

2. Large, deformed, hypertrophic nails resulting from long-term growth

3. Dry skin with scaling and small blisters

4. Infection of tissues around the nail

The correct answer is: Large, deformed, hypertrophic nails resulting from long-term growth

Onychogryposis is characterized by large, deformed, hypertrophic nails that result from abnormal nail growth over a prolonged period. This condition leads to nails that can become excessively thick, curved, and sometimes twisted, which can significantly change the nail's overall appearance. It is typically associated with aging, various systemic diseases, or trauma to the nail bed. Understanding the context of this condition clarifies why other options do not accurately describe onychogryposis. For example, while thickened and brittle nails due to infection reflects a different pathology, it is more aligned with conditions such as onychomycosis (a fungal nail infection) rather than the unique characteristics of onychogryposis. Similarly, dry skin with scaling and small blisters pertains to dermatitis rather than nail deformation. Lastly, an infection of tissues around the nail would refer to a paronychia, which does not encompass the structural changes in the nail itself seen in onychogryposis. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of this nail condition.