Review Question - QID 219962

A 47-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled diabetes who is three months status post right long finger trigger finger release presents to the emergency room with three days of right index finger pain, swelling, and erythema. Available laboratory data demonstrates a normal white blood cell (WBC) count, and mildly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The decision is made to proceed with operative intervention. During the subsequent surgical dissection, gross purulence is encountered within the index finger flexor tendon sheath. Which of the following findings was most likely present on initial physical examination?