Final answer:
Ischemic spots around the nail beds in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis are related to inflammation caused by the autoimmune response characteristic of the condition, leading to vasculitis and reduced circulation in extremities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse assesses ischemic spots around the nail beds of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and recognizes them as a complication related to inflammation. RA is an autoimmune disorder causing chronic inflammation of synovial joints, leading to swelling, stiffness, and pain due to immune cells attacking the healthy joint tissue. These immune responses can lead to complications such as vasculitis, which is inflammation of the blood vessels, potentially resulting in poor circulation and ischemic spots at the extremities like the nail beds. Therefore, the correct answer to the blank is inflammation.