A nurse must take into account all aspects of the recommended for the patient treatment. In the case of prescribing recommendations regarding drugs for weight loss, it is necessary, first of all, to use the evidence base for understanding the effectiveness of drugs. It is important to know the side effects and be aware of the risks when recommending a particular treatment. In the fight against obesity, it is necessary to try traditional methods of help first, and only then resort to drug treatment.
First of all, it is necessary to understand the cause of the patient’s anxiety. The patient is predominantly concerned about weight loss rather than treatment options for type 2 diabetes. A woman is too much worried about her appearance and overlooks the possibility of losing weight to reduce the glycemic index and the risks of coronary heart disease. In addition to the method of losing weight, the woman should be advised to consult a psychologist who will make it easier for her to go through the process of losing weight.
The woman is asking for a specific type of drug treatment: Belviq, most likely on the recommendation of non-professionals. The woman is currently taking metformin and drug compatibility needs to be determined. Metformin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes; it helps control blood sugar levels and thus prevents serious complications of diabetes (Yerevanian & Soukas, 2019). Metformin is especially often recommended for overweight patients, and it would not be safe to supplement it with other means of losing weight. The side effects of Belviq prevent it from being recommended for a patient at risk of ischemia and currently diagnosed with diabetes.
It is also necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of drug treatment of obesity. In randomized controlled trials, currently approved antiobesity drugs have yielded an average weight loss ranging from approximately 3% to 9% relative to placebo at 1 year (Gadde & Atkins, 2020). The traditional approach to treating obesity, including changes in diet and behavioral habits, predicts a 5% weight loss (ADA, 2016). Thus, the expected effects on weight loss are approximately the same.
The patient expects quick results as she is particularly concerned about weight loss. Medical treatment of obesity is a simple way to resolve the patient’s problem. However, the patient never tried dietary changes and exercise. It is necessary to convince the patient that the traditional approach is much safer in order to cope with obesity. Most importantly, the diet promotes not only weight loss, but also a decrease in blood sugar levels. Diet and exercise have been shown to be effective as complementary methods for managing diabetes (ADA, 2022). Amanda needs to understand that lifestyle change is a holistic approach to weight loss, diabetes management, and cardiovascular risk reduction.
In conclusion, a nurse should not recommend medical treatment for excess weight to a patient who has not tried traditional methods of treatment. Not all medical methods are proven safe, especially for patients with comorbidities. In addition, the effectiveness of such drugs varies greatly, depending on physical differences. While the traditional approach has proven effectiveness when followed by medical recommendations. Medical treatment may be recommended for overweight patients if the traditional approach has not been effective. Patients should first be advised on diet and exercise because this approach will have a long-term effect.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2022). Introduction: Standards of medical care in diabetes. Diabetes care, 45(1), S1-S2. Web.
American Diabetes Association. (2016). Obesity management for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 39(10). 547-551. Web.
Gadde, K. M., & Atkins, K. D. (2020). The limits and challenges of antiobesity pharmacotherapy. Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 21(11), 1319-1328. Web.
Yerevanian, A., & Soukas, A. A. (2019). Metformin: mechanisms in human obesity and weight loss. Current obesity reports, 8(2), 156-164. Web.