1. The client/caregiver can define metabolic syndrome.
   1. Metabolic syndrome is the cluster of metabolic risk factors that increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
   2. The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggest the following perimeters for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. They include the following:
      1. Obesity, including a waist circumfer- ence more than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.
      2. Blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher.
      3. Triglyceride level of 150 mg/dl or higher.
      4. HDL level below 40 mg/dl in men and 50 mg/dl in women.
      5. Fasting serum glucose level of 100 mg/dl.
2. The client/caregiver can list objective methods used to evaluate for this syndrome during a physical examination.
   1. BMI is the body mass index, which compares a person’s weight to their height to give an estimate of body fat.
   2. Waist circumference is a reflection of body fat distribution. Fat that is distributed in large amounts around the waist is often called an apple-shaped body type. This body type is at the greatest risk for cardiovascular disease.
   3. Skinfold measurements are usually taken at the triceps, and biceps areas. This also helps to establish the body fat percentage of an individual.
   4. Measure blood pressure and pulse.
   5. Assess for shortness of breath and/or edema.
3. The client/caregiver can discuss laboratory diagnostic tests the physician may use to evaluate for the presence of metabolic syndrome.
   1. Total cholesterol and LDL and HDL levels
   2. Serum triglycerides
   3. Blood glucose level
4. The client/caregiver can list additional testing the physician may use to evaluate for damage to the cardiovascular system by the metabolic syndrome.
   1. Electrocardiogram (ECG) B. Stress test
   2. Echocardiography
   3. Cardiac catherization
   4. Chest x-ray
5. The client/caregiver can list resources included in this book for the metabolic syndrome.
   1. Diabetes mellitus teaching guide
   2. The hypertension teaching guide
   3. Coronary artery disease teaching guide
   4. Nutrition teaching guides
   5. Weight-loss diet
   6. Cardiovascular-related diets: low-fat, low- cholesterol, and low-sodium diets
   7. Diabetes mellitus diet

Resources

National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)
www.nhibi.nih.gov/about/ncep

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes
www.nhlbi.nih

American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org

National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov

References

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2006). Nursing diagnosis handbook: A guide to planning care.
Philadelphia: Mosby Inc.
Cohen, B. J., & Wood, D. L. (2000). Memmler’s the Human Body in Health and Disease (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Nutrition made incredibly easy. (2003). Springhouse: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Portable RN: The all-in-one nursing reference. (2002). Springhouse: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Taylor, C., Lillis, D., & LeMone, P. (2005). Fundamentals of nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins. Timby, B. K., & Smith, N. C. (2003). Introductory medical-surgical nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Credits

Client Teaching Guides for Home Health Care, 2nd ed.
© 2008 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
www.jbpub.com