Final answer:
The symptoms described point to Osteoarthritis due to the presence of Heberden and Bouchard nodes, joint stiffness worsened by activity, and absence of systemic inflammation markers like RF.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diagnosis of Joint Condition
The student's description of evening joint stiffness worsening with activity, the presence of hard bony joints with crepitus, Heberden and Bouchard nodes, weight-bearing joint affection, distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and thumb involvement, and a negative rheumatoid factor (RF) suggest the diagnosis of Osteoarthritis (OA). Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation, and autoimmune involvement, and is likely to present positive RF and anti-CCP antibodies. Gout typically presents with acute and extremely painful joint flares, often at the base of the big toe. Ankylosing spondylitis often affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints.
The clues given, such as the specific nodes (Heberden and Bouchard), indicate bony enlargements common in OA, which is a degenerative condition. It is less inflammatory than RA and typically does not involve positive RF or anti-CCP antibodies. OA commonly affects weight-bearing joints and spares systemic involvement, which aligns with the student's description. Consequently, the correct answer to the student's question is A) Osteoarthritis.