There are several risk factors that contribute to metabolic syndrome. These are categorized into non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors. Non-modifiable risk factors such as age, gender, family history of diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, poor nutrition, obesity, sedentary lifestyle (Stanley & Laugharne, 2014). Along with these risk factors, the risk factors associated with SGAs in SUs with SMI such as weight gain, increased blood pressure, increased abdominal girth, raised blood sugar and cholesterol levels further worsening their physical health by increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (Panagiotopoulos, Ronsley & Davidson, …show more content…
For example, nurses can prevent the occurrence of type-2 diabetes by identifying pre-diabetes through regular screening and intervening. Mental health nurses should primarily aim at collecting baseline measurements for metabolic monitoring such as SU’s weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and fasting blood glucose level and lipid profile (Bradshaw & Pedley, 2012). In my clinical practice, during admission process, we monitor SU’s weight, height, body mass index and physical observations and document them clearly in the system. We also provide SU’s ECG to the HO and request them to do admission bloods and admission physical. All these parameters assist health clinicians in identifying SU’s physical health