Which of the following is a classic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis?

Joint swelling and stiffness are indeed classic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this autoimmune condition, the inflammation of the synovial membrane leads to swelling in the joints, which is often accompanied by stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

This stiffness can last for an extended period and is a hallmark feature distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, which typically presents with joint pain while stiffness usually improves with movement. The swelling is also due to synovial fluid accumulation and inflammatory cells infiltrating the joint space, which tend to manifest symmetrically in multiple joints.

Other symptoms like sharp joint pain with movement, localized tenderness upon palpation, and joint redness and heat can occur but are not as characteristic or defining as joint swelling and stiffness in the context of rheumatoid arthritis. These symptoms can also occur in other conditions or stages of the disease, making them less specific for RA.