A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who had a right total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A. "You should avoid exercising for the next 6 weeks." Exercise is encouraged after a total hip arthroplasty to promote circulation, prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis, and strengthen the muscles supporting the hip joint. However, high-impact activities should be avoided until cleared by the healthcare provider. B. "You should avoid putting a pillow between your legs when in bed." Placing a pillow between the legs, especially while sleeping, helps maintain proper hip alignment and prevents excessive internal rotation or adduction, reducing the risk of dislocation. C. "You should avoid lying on your right side." Lying on the operative side is not necessarily contraindicated, but it should be done with caution and with proper support. Clients are usually advised to lie on their non-operative side with a pillow between their legs for alignment. D. "You should avoid crossing your legs for 3 months." Crossing the legs can cause hip adduction and internal rotation, increasing the risk of dislocation of the prosthetic joint. Clients are typically instructed to avoid crossing their legs for at least 3 months or until cleared by their provider.