A patient is complaining of a fever and a "stiff neck.". Upon assessment, the patient is unable to rotate the neck. Which of the following do these assessment findings suggest to the nurse?
1. Infectious process
2. Arthritis
3. Gout
4. Cervical vertebrae fracture
Infectious process
Rationale: Neck pain with decreased range of motion accompanied by a fever may be due to an infectious process. Arthritis is not typically associated with a fever. Gout is not known to affect the cervical vertebrae. The patient would have pain, tingling, and numbness in addition to a change in range of motion if cervical vertebrae were fractured.
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