What it means
Painful nodules that last hours to days, named after William Osler, a Canadian physician. They are thought to come from immune reactions or tiny clots in small vessels, and are a classic finding in infective endocarditis, an infection of the heart's inner lining or valves. Janeway lesions, by contrast, are painless flat spots on the palms and soles.
For the nurse
Look at the fingers and toes in a client with fever and a heart murmur or IV drug use, and report new tender nodules.
At a glance
| Also written | Osler's nodes, Osler’s nodes, Osler node |
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Related terms
infectious disease
An illness caused by a germ such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite.
lesion
An area of tissue that has been damaged or has changed from normal, such as a sore, wound, lump or spot.