A 71-year-old obese patient has bilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the hips. The nurse teaches the patient that the most beneficial measure to protect the joints is to

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Because the patient's major risk factor is obesity, the nurse should teach the patient that weight loss is the best way to reduce stress on the hips. Avoiding activity by sitting in a wheelchair would likely increase the patient's weight; moderate activity is recommended for patients with OA. Sitting with the hips higher than the knees and using a walker would be recommended but are not as helpful as weight loss for this obese patient.

A 71-Year-Old Obese Patient Has Bilateral Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hips