Care of the Bariatric Patient in Acute Care

Obesity has become a health care crisis across the world. There are significant physiologic implications for obesity. This article will review the physiologic impact of obesity on the pulmonary, cardiovascular, endocrine, and integumentary systems. It will also highlight concepts important to the radiology nurse who provides care throughout the patient's imaging experience. The appendices describe assessment and intervention priorities for managing the bariatric patient in acute care.