Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment and Management of Patients with Obesity Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment and Management of Patients with Obesity related questions and content

A few months after bariatric surgery, a 56-year-old man tells the nurse, My skin is hanging in folds. I think I need cosmetic surgery. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

  • A. The important thing is that you are improving your health.
  • B. The skinfolds will disappear once most of the weight is lost.
  • C. Cosmetic surgery is a possibility once your weight has stabilized.
  • D. Perhaps you would like to talk to a counselor about your body image.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Reconstructive surgery may be used to eliminate excess skinfolds after at least a year has passed since the surgery. Skinfolds may not disappear over time, especially in older patients. The response, The important thing is that your weight loss is improving your health, ignores the patients concerns about appearance and implies that the nurse knows what is important. Whereas it may be helpful for the patient to talk to a counselor, it is more likely to be helpful to know that cosmetic surgery is available.