A client with osteoarthritis presents with joint pain that worsens with weight-bearing activities and improves with rest. Which of the following clinical manifestations is described?

X-ray imaging is commonly used to diagnose osteoarthritis. It can visualize joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and other changes associated with the disease.

a. MRI is more commonly used to assess soft tissue structures and is not the first-line imaging modality for osteoarthritis.
b. CT scan is not typically used for diagnosing osteoarthritis due to its higher radiation exposure compared to X-ray.
d. Ultrasound is not commonly used for diagnosing osteoarthritis; it is more useful for soft tissue assessment.

X-ray of the joint is the most appropriate diagnostic test to evaluate for osteoarthritis. X-ray can show joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, and changes in bone density, which are typical findings in osteoarthritis. A complete blood count (CBC) and rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test are used to assess for inflammation and autoimmune markers, respectively, which are more indicative of inflammatory arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis. Synovial fluid analysis is usually performed to assess for infection or inflammation in the joint and may not be as helpful in diagnosing osteoarthritis.

a. A complete blood count (CBC) is used to assess for general health and detect various conditions, but it is not specific to osteoarthritis.
b. A rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test is used to diagnose inflammatory arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis.
d. Synovial fluid analysis is usually performed to assess for infection or inflammation in the joint, but it may not provide definitive evidence of osteoarthritis.