Obesity: An Emerging Concern for Patients and Nurses

The challenges of caring for larger, heavier patients arise in all healthcare settings. When an obese patient needs nursing care, physical size can complicate even the most basic interventions, regardless of the practice setting. In this article, definitions, etiologies, and long-term consequences of obesity are described. The nurse’s role in anticipating obesity-related issues, such as skin, pulmonary, resuscitation, drug absorption, intravenous access, and mobility challenges, is considered. Strategies to address these issues in a size-sensitive manner are presented.