Obesity and Weight Loss Medications

Course Purpose

A nursing-focused review of obesity assessment, current weight-management pharmacotherapy, adverse-effect monitoring, pediatric care, and patient education.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 3 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, the nurse will be able to assess obesity as a chronic disease, identify appropriate candidates for pharmacotherapy, and compare the mechanisms, expected effects, contraindications, and safety concerns of current medications. The nurse will also be able to monitor treatment response, recognize findings requiring escalation, support nutrition and activity plans, apply pediatric safeguards, and provide respectful, person-centered education.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

1. Assess adults and adolescents for obesity-related health risk using BMI, clinical history, physical findings, and appropriate laboratory data.
2. Differentiate the mechanisms, indications, common adverse effects, contraindications, and major interactions of current FDA-approved weight-management medications.
3. Identify safety limitations associated with off-label medication use for weight management.
4. Apply age-appropriate assessment and monitoring principles when caring for children or adolescents receiving obesity treatment.
5. Develop a nursing monitoring plan that evaluates medication adherence, treatment response, adverse effects, pregnancy risk, nutrition, physical activity, and psychosocial well-being.
6. Educate patients using person-first, nonstigmatizing language and evidence-based expectations for long-term obesity treatment.

Who this course is for:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and other healthcare providers in any setting who want continuing education on Obesity and Weight Loss Medications.

Course outline

10 sections · finish in any order across devices

1. 1

   Introduction

2. 2

   Describing Obesity

3. 3

   Mechanisms of Action of Weight Management Medications

4. 4

   Food and Drug Administration Approved Weight Loss Medications

5. 5

   Off-label Weight Loss Medications

6. 6

   Benefits and Contraindications of Weight Loss Medications

7. 7

   Safety of Weight Loss Medication Use in Children

8. 8

   Importance of Physical Activity and Healthy Diet

9. 9

   Nursing Considerations

10. 10

    Conclusion

This Course Satisfies

Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. All Users of Fast CE For Less’s website and content are responsible for knowing their state’s license and renewal requirements.

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