Question

A nurse is teaching an older adult client who is at risk for osteoporosis about beginning a term-2 program of regular physical activity. Which of the following types of activities should the nurse recommend?

a) High-impact exercises such as running
b) Low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming
c) Isometric exercises focusing on muscle strengthening
d) Resistance training with heavy weights

Answer 1

The nurse should recommend low-impact exercises and resistance training to an older adult client at risk for osteoporosis. Low-impact exercises like walking and swimming are less stressful on joints, whereas resistance training effectively increases bone density and prevents bone loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

For an older adult client at risk for osteoporosis, the nurse should recommend low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming, as well as resistance training exercises. These types of activities are beneficial because low-impact exercises like walking and swimming can maintain or improve cardiovascular health while minimizing stress on the bones and joints. On the other hand, resistance training helps to increase bone density and is critical for slowing bone loss due to aging and for the prevention of osteoporosis.

While high-impact exercises like running may also help increase bone density, they may not be suitable for an older adult who is at risk for injury or has joint concerns. Isometric exercises that focus on muscle strengthening can also be beneficial, but they don't provide the same bone-loading force as resistance training with manageable weights. Furthermore, resistance training doesn't need to involve heavy weights, which could pose a risk of injury; lighter weights with higher repetitions can be both safe and effective for bone strengthening.