A patient whose hands feel warm and moist is most likely suffering from which condition?

The condition characterized by warm and moist hands is most consistent with thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotoxicosis is a state caused by an excess of thyroid hormones in the body, leading to increased metabolism and heightened sympathetic activity. This condition often results in symptoms such as heat intolerance, sweating, anxiety, and tremors. The warm, moist hands are a direct result of increased sweat gland activity and vasodilation brought on by elevated metabolism.

While anxiety can also lead to physical symptoms such as sweating and elevated heart rate, the combination of warm and moist hands specifically points more towards a hypermetabolic state like thyrotoxicosis rather than anxiety alone. Congestive cardiac failure may cause changes in temperature regulation but would not typically present with warm and moist hands. Hyperhidrosis, characterized by excessive sweating, could cause moist hands; however, it does not usually manifest with warmth or other systemic symptoms associated with thyrotoxicosis.

Thus, recognizing the specific symptoms that accompany thyrotoxicosis helps in understanding why this is the most appropriate choice in this context.