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A 52-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office Due to Difficulty

question 10

Multiple Choice

A 52-year-old man comes to the office due to difficulty using his left hand. Over the last year, he has had progressive stiffness at the palm and third and fourth digits, which has led to difficulty doing yard work and typing at his computer. The patient has tried splints and warm compresses without relief. He has no history of trauma to the hand and no other musculoskeletal issues. On examination, the patient has decreased extension at the left third and fourth metacarpophalangeal joints. Findings of the left hand examination are shown below: Which of the following is most closely associated with this patient's condition?

Definitions:

Neoliberalism

An economic philosophy that argues for the sovereignty of the free market without any government intervention. The sole responsibility of a company is to make a profit for its shareholders. To maximize the social good, the model of the market must be extended to all realms of society.

Market Speculation

The act of trading in an asset, or conducting a financial transaction, that has a significant risk of losing most or all of the initial outlay, in expectation of a substantial gain.

Mass Migrations

Large-scale movements of groups of people from one geographical area to another, often resulting from factors like conflict, natural disasters, or economic opportunities.

Privatization

The process of transferring ownership or the operation of services and assets from the government to the private sector.