Case Study: Mr. C
The case study: Mr. C is a 32-year-old male who works at a telephone call center. He recently went to an outpatient center to obtain
... [Show More] information regarding bariatric surgery due his long battle with obesity. Mr. C states that he has had problems with his weight since he was a child. In the past two to three years he has gained 100 pounds. Mr. C’s medical diagnoses include hypertension and sleep apnea. He does not take any routine medication and tries to control his hypertension by restricting his dietary sodium. Mr. C states for about the past six months he has been experiencing shortness of breath, swelling in his ankles, and pruritus.
Mr. C’s physical examination reveals that he is 68 inches tall (5 feet 8 inches) and weighs
134.5 kilograms (296 pounds). He has three plus pitting edema bilaterally to his feet and ankles.
His lab results are as follows: fasting blood glucose-146, total cholesterol-250, triglycerides-312, HDL-30, serum creatinine-1.8, and BUN-32. His blood pressure is elevated, 172/98 and so are his respiration, 26. His heart rate is 88. Previous medical examines did not indicate any metabolic diseases.
Mr. C has several potential health risks that are associated with or could be affected by his obesity. Although his previous physical examines did not reveal any metabolic disorders, he now has a fasting blood glucose of 146. This could indicate that Mr. C is what some refer to as borderline diabetic. Further testing is needed, and his physician should consider a hemoglobin A1C. Mr. C’s current lab results also show that he has hyperlipidemia. Being a man of large statue, his heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body which can be the cause of his hypertension. Weight loss may help to decrease Mr. C’s blood pressure. Obesity is the most important risk factor for sleep apnea. Overweight patients may store extra fat around the neck area. This may cause their airway to narrow making it difficult for one to breathe when they
sleep. Bariatric surgery may not be an appropriate first intervention. Mr. C could benefit from some lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
Mr. C’s perception of health appears to be a lack of knowledge or concern for the effect his weight has on his health status. Although he has had problems with his weight since he was a child, he still has not taken any steps prior to now to change his weight status. Better management of his overall health could improve his status and promote a positive health outcome. He has taken steps to limit his dietary sodium intake, but his blood pressure continues [Show Less]