Course Description
Obesity is a rapidly growing chronic condition in the U.S., affecting over 30% of adults. Bariatrics, the healthcare practice focused on treating obesity and its related conditions, derives from the Greek word baros, meaning weight. Providing effective skin care for bariatric patients requires the use of appropriate tools, strategies, and mindset. The goal of this course is to provide practical insights and comprehensive knowledge to address the unique challenges of maintaining skin health in bariatric patients.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:
- Discuss the physiological changes that occur in the skin of bariatric patients.
- Identify and understand the causes of common skin conditions such as infections, rashes, and pressure injuries.
- Develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for maintaining skin health in bariatric patients.
Intended Audience
This educational activity was developed for nurses.
CE Information
This course is approved for 1.0 contact hours by the Florida and California State Boards of Nursing.
Course Authors
This course was written by Kim Kehoe, BSN, RN, CWOCN, DAPWCA and Brenda Kozak, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE.
Kim completed her Wound, Ostomy, and Continence education at Emory University and is a certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence nurse.
Brenda is a certified nurse educator with over 25 years of clinical experience. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and a Master of Science in Nursing focusing on education.