The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. In order to reduce joint discomfort, the patient should:

Avoid bending over and overreaching.
Change positions and stretch frequently.
Use larger joints to open doors or push buttons to avoid pressure on smaller joints.

Explanation

• To reduce joint discomfort, the patient should avoid overreaching and bending

• Because symptoms increase with inactivity, the patient should stretch or reposition frequently

• Using large joints instead of small ones for ordinary tasks can help relieve pressure, for instance, closing a door with the hip or pushing buttons with the palm of the hand

• When joints are inflamed, the patient should avoid exercises that might worsen discomfort, except for simple range-of-motion
 
• The patient should slide objects and avoid lifting them

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