The nurse prepares an older man who has OA for discharge. Which instruction does the nurse include in patient teaching to maintain safety for this man?
a. Take ibuprofen (Motrin) rather than opioid analgesics.
b. Increase rest periods to slow disease pro-gression.
c. Report joint instability to the health care provider.
d. Avoid stretching the affected joint during exercise.
C
As OA progresses, the joint deteriorates and can become unstable, thereby increasing the risk of falls. The joint stability will not improve without physical therapy or surgery; therefore the patient needs to report instability to the health care provider. Although ibuprofen is much less likely to cause dizziness, hypotension, or sedation, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents such as ibuprofen are poor analgesic choices for older adults; they can aggravate hypertension and impair renal blood flow. The nurse avoids recommending increased rest because rest contributes to stiffness. Stretching is an important form of exercise for older adults with OA; it helps maintain joint flexibility and range of motion.
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