Nursing Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Nursing, including details on health care, hospital staff, professional care.

Perianesthesia respiratory care of the bariatric patient.

Marley RA, Hoyle B, Ries C

Northwestern Colorado Anesthesia Professional Consultants, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA. lungfish1@aol.com

Our nation's obesity problem has reached epidemic proportions and is only projected to worsen. The morbidly obese patient is at risk for experiencing a multitude of health-related conditions. Morbidly obese patients are presenting for surgery at an increasing rate, especially with the growing popularity of weight-loss surgery. Therefore the perianesthesia nurse has to remain informed of optimal care strategies for this sometimes challenging population. The obese patient presents with distinct respiratory care considerations of which the perianesthesia nurse must be knowledgeable. This review article will specifically focus on the respiratory care of the bariatric patient presenting for surgery.

Published 2 January 2006 in J Perianesth Nurs, 20(6): 404-31; quiz 432-4.
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