Which finding is part of the JONES criteria for rheumatic fever?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Splinter hemorrhages
• C. Migratory polyarthritis
• D. Livedo reticularis

Answer: (C)

Migratory polyarthritis is one of the five major criteria used to diagnose acute rheumatic fever. The Jones criteria categorize findings as major or minor, and migratory arthritis—typically involving large joints and moving from one joint to another over time—is a hallmark major feature. This pattern helps distinguish rheumatic fever from other joint issues and often appears after a group A Streptococcus infection of the throat. The other options don’t fit the criteria: hyperkalemia is not part of the Jones criteria, splinter hemorrhages are more linked to endocarditis, and livedo reticularis is not a recognized rheumatic fever criterion.