A nurse is caring for a school-aged child who has hemophilia A. Which of the following should the nurse recognize as a manifestation of this disorder?

A nurse is caring for a school-aged child who has hemophilia A. Which of the following should the nurse recognize as a manifestation of this disorder?

• A. Joint swelling and warmth
• B. Frequent nosebleeds
• C. Rash on trunk
• D. Shortness of breath

Answer: (A)

Bleeding into joints (hemarthrosis) is a hallmark of hemophilia A. When factor VIII is deficient, even minor injuries can cause internal bleeding into synovial joints, leading to swelling, warmth, pain, and limited movement. This joint-based bleeding is the most characteristic manifestation in school-aged children with this disorder. While nosebleeds and easy bruising can occur, they are less specific, and shortness of breath is not a typical isolated sign of hemophilia.

Bleeding into joints (hemarthrosis) is a hallmark of hemophilia A. When factor VIII is deficient, even minor injuries can cause internal bleeding into synovial joints, leading to swelling, warmth, pain, and limited movement. This joint-based bleeding is the most characteristic manifestation in school-aged children with this disorder. While nosebleeds and easy bruising can occur, they are less specific, and shortness of breath is not a typical isolated sign of hemophilia.