Final answer:
Osteoarthritis in a middle-aged adult might be attributed to factors such as age, joint injury, excess body weight, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle habits. It is important to manage these risk factors to prevent and treat osteoarthritis effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is assessing a middle-aged adult who is diagnosed with osteoarthritis. The factors in this client's history that could have contributed to osteoarthritis include age, as it is the chief risk factor, with evidence of osteoarthritis appearing in up to 80 percent of people by the age of 65.
Another significant risk factor is joint injury, which can cause early onset of OA if the injury damages the joint, such as in the case of a sports injury in a high school athlete that might lead to OA in their thirties. Excess body weight is another contributing factor, due to the additional stress it places on weight-bearing joints, increasing the risk of OA.
A family history of OA also heightens the risk, suggesting that genetic factors are involved in the development of the disorder. Prevention and treatment strategies for OA include maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise, which can decrease the risk of OA and manage its symptoms once present. Treatments may include lifestyle changes, medications, and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery. Despite some beliefs, weather conditions do not cause osteoarthritis, though they might exacerbate symptoms in some individuals.