Final answer:
Delayed wound healing and wound infection is the priority surgical risk related to obesity that the nurse should monitor when assessing an obese patient scheduled for heart surgery due to the various complications obesity can cause which can impact healing and recovery post-surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is assessing an obese patient scheduled for heart surgery. The priority surgical risk related to obesity that the nurse should monitor is delayed wound healing and wound infection. Obesity can lead to increased levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood, a greater workload on the heart, and increased inflammation, all of which can complicate the healing process post-surgery. Additionally, obese patients are at greater risk due to potential alterations in their body's response to insulin, leading to conditions like hyperglycemia, which can further delay wound healing and increase the risk of infections following surgery.
- Increased fat levels and cholesterol leading to poor wound healing.
- Increased workload on the heart complicating recovery.
- Hyperglycemia promotes the growth of microorganisms.
- Increased inflammation and risk of infections.