Which symptom should the nurse closely monitor for in patients with Paget's disease?

The femur, which is the thigh bone, is often affected in Paget's disease. The condition commonly involves the axial skeleton, such as the skull, spine, and pelvis, as well as the long bones like the femur.

a. Humerus (arm bone): The humerus can be affected in Paget's disease, but it is not as commonly involved as the femur.

b. Radius (forearm bone): The radius can be affected in Paget's disease, but it is not as commonly involved as the femur.

d. Fibula (lower leg bone): The fibula can be affected in Paget's disease, but it is not as commonly involved as the femur.

The typical pattern of bone involvement in Paget's disease is characterized by patchy areas of increased bone density (osteosclerosis) and disorganized bone formation. These areas of abnormal bone remodeling result in structurally weak and misshapen bones.

a. Uniform increase in bone density throughout the skeleton: This pattern of bone density is not characteristic of Paget's disease. The condition involves localized areas of increased density rather than uniform changes.

b. Focal areas of bone demineralization scattered throughout the skeleton: This pattern of bone demineralization is more characteristic of osteoporosis, not Paget's disease.

c. Diffuse increase in bone density with areas of focal bone loss: This pattern is not typical of Paget's disease. The condition primarily involves areas of increased bone density and disordered bone remodeling.