A patient is diagnosed with bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. To best address the long-term risk for falls, the nurse encourages the patient to

Question

a. use assistive mobility devises when ne-cessary.
b. report exacerbation of symptoms promptly.
c. add a daily walk to exercise the knees ap-propriately.
d. take analgesic medication as prescribed to manage joint pain.

Answer 1

D
If joint pain develops and remains untreated, it can cause older adults to become sedentary or immobile. This phenomenon of disuse and muscle atrophy contributes to muscle weakness and can lead to an increase in falls. The other statements are also appropriate, but the patient's pain needs to first be managed before determining if assistive devices are needed. Walking will help build strength, but the patient won't do it if it hurts too much. Reporting symptoms does not di-rectly affect falling.