Not Just a Large Adult: Alterations in Physiology in the Patient with Obesity

Activity Summary

Caring for patients with obesity presents many challenges for the critical care nurse. These patients experience a disproportionately high incidence of medical complications and untoward events. With 28% to 36% of ICU patients classed as obese, the nurse must understand the alterations in physiology and be armed with strategies to provide care in a manner which respects the patient’s dignity while ensuring safety for both the patient and the staff. The critical care nurse is uniquely situated to facilitate the best possible outcomes for these vulnerable patients.

Objectives

Identify five specific harm events for which the patient with obesity is at increased risk.
Explain the effect of obesity on pulmonary physiology and required adaptations to effectively manage hypoxia and disordered breathing.
Compare collaborative strategies to successfully intubate and manage the airway in a patient with obesity.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.