During an examination, the nurse finds that a patient's left temporal artery is tortuous and feels hardened and tender, compared with the right temporal artery. The nurse suspects which condition?

A) Bell palsy
B) Crepitation
C) Mastoiditis
D) Temporal arteritis

With temporal arteritis, the artery appears more tortuous and feels hardened and tender. These assessment findings are not consistent with the other responses. Bell palsy presents as complete paralysis of one side of the face. The person cannot wrinkle forehead, raise eyebrows, close eyelids, whistle, or show teeth on the affected side. Crepitation is a crackling sound. Mastoiditis is an inflammation of the mastoid process which is behind the ears. The signs and symptoms this patient has are consistent with temporal arteritis. With temporal arteritis, the artery appears more tortuous and feels hardened and tender.