The ABCDs of Managing Morbidly Obese Patients in Intensive Care Units.
More than one-third of the US adult population and 17% of the youth are now obese, and obesity is associated with more than $147 billion a year in health care costs. Critical care nurses should understand the physiological differences and practice guidelines for patients with a body mass index greater than 30. The ABCD approach encompasses key clinical concepts in the management of critically ill obese and morbidly obese patients, including management of airways and breathing, minimizing nurses' back and other injuries, increasing awareness of bias, circulation problems, risks of decubitus ulcers and other skin breakdown, differences in drug calculations and metabolism, limitations in diagnostic equipment and imaging, diet and nutritional recommendations, and concerns with durable medical equipment.
Luis A. Berrios is the director of nonphysician practitioners at Baptist Health System, San Antonio, Texas, and the chief of education and training and senior critical care nurse, 433rd Medical Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas. luis.berrios@baptisthealthsystem.com luisberrios.np@gmail.com.
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D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic