PICOT -- Arthritis & Obesity

The Healthy People 2020 objectives for people who suffer from arthritis are focused on reducing the number of individuals who experience pain, limited activity in general, limited capacity to attend to daily affairs, and disability that prevents or impacts employment, and so on. The nexus of the Healthy People 2020 objectives and the role of the advanced care nurse offers a valuable opportunity to help patients with arthritis establish healthy exercise habits that help them lose weight and, accordingly, reduce their arthritis symptoms.

Advance practice nurses are in a position to provide educational information about chronic disease related to obesity, and to support patients' ability to problem solve about lifestyle changes that can foster health. Moreover, the advance practice nurse is likely to obtain the vitals for the patient during an office visit, which would include current height and weight measures. Further discussion about symptoms...
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