title: Pickwickian syndrome: the challenge of severe sleep apnea.
abstract: Pickwickian syndrome is a severe form of sleep apnea in obese persons which involves mechanical impairment of ventilation resulting in greatly compromised gas exchange. Manifestations of the syndrome are associated with deposits of adipose tissue around the abdomen and diaphragm and are completely reversible with weight loss. Since sleep apnea is now recognized as a significant chronic health problem, nurses in intensive care, medical-surgical, and home care settings are increasingly challenged to provide competent assessment, care, and rehabilitation of affected individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marchiondo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010845:Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010351:Patient Discharge