Special Nursing Considerations in Caring for the Bariatric Patient

There are several important elements to the nursing care of bariatric patients who present for endoscopic evaluation and/or intervention. Patient safety, comfort, and education are basic nursing responsibilities that have unique features in this patient population. Procedural considerations, ergonomics, and room setup may also be very different in this population, and nurses must be aware of these intricacies, to ensure safety for the medical staff as well as the patient. This chapter focuses on important nursing responsibilities in the care of bariatric patients.