An elderly client with bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees tells the nurse that she knows she ...

3. Exercise is an important part of treatment for osteoarthritis because the muscles will protect the joints.

Rationale:
One common misconception regarding exercise is that it will cause an increase in joint pain in the client with osteoarthritis. Exercise strengthens the muscles and helps protect the joints. This is what the nurse should instruct the client. The nurse should not counsel the client to follow a reduced calorie eating plan for several months before attempting exercise. The client may or may not want to have knee replacement surgery. Stretching is just one type of exercise that will help a client with osteoarthritis. The other components, strengthening and aerobic exercise, can be obtained through walking, swimming, and isometric, isotonic, and resistive exercises.