title: Caring for the orthopaedic patient who is obese.
abstract: Obesity is a major health problem in the United States, and it is occurring at an increasing rate. When an orthopaedic patient is obese, the care plan and interventions must be adjusted for the specific patient needs. This article explores the multidimensional challenges and suggests strategies to provide safe care for the patient who is obese.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Taggart
authors.forename: Andi Beth
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Mincer
authors.forename: Anne W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010351:Patient Discharge; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing