Bariatric Nursing Manikin

FAQs

How do I use this manikin?

Bariatric Nursing Manikin Demonstration

What careers can this manikin help students prepare for?

This manikin is great for many careers in the health care field especially those that work directly with patient care including CNA, nurse, medical assistant, EMT personnel, and more.

What classes would benefit from this Bariatric Nursing Manikin?

This manikin would benefit many health science classes including healthcare career exploration, healthcare foundations, medical assisting, nurse assisting, patient care, and many more.

How much does this manikin weigh?

While the physical attributes represent a 350-lb male patient, the actual weight of the manikin is roughly 100 lbs. This allows for easier portability while still providing realistic scenarios obese patients present in healthcare careers.

What physical features does this manikin present?

• Bariatric/obese physical appearance including skin folds
• Skin conditions including pressure injury, eczema, and dermatitis
• Weighted pannus lifts so users experience difficulty accessing genitalia for perineal care and catheterization  
• Chest features pendulous breasts with skin conditions within the folds 
• Realistic size and girth of a 350-lb male patient for basic patient care, mobility and transfer issues (actual manikin weight is roughly 100 lbs.)
• Skin is made of soft, pliable, waterproof silicone 
• Edema of the limbs
• Chest features pendulous breasts with skin conditions within the folds 

What care events can be performed on this bariatric manikin?

Vital Signs

• Users are able practice blood pressure readings common with bariatric patients

Oral care

• Tooth brushing can be simulated without fluids

Ear Care

• Ears may be irrigated using water and an irrigating syringe and cotton swabs may be used gently in the ear as you would a real patient

Catheterization

• Male urethral catheter insertion with real Foley and straight catheters without use of fluids

Perineal Care

• Male perineal care practice
• Cleaning the genitalia with gentle soap and water, patting dry and avoiding cross contamination
• Weighted pannus and skin folds will ‘get in the way’ or make it more difficult but not impossible to provide perineal care as with real patients

Patient Care

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including:
• Bathing
• Face washing
• Dressing
• Holistic nursing: sponge bath, dressing, hot and cold therapy

Patient Transfer, Handling and Positioning

• Practice changing occupied beds
• Practice positioning in chairs and wheelchairs
• Practice transferring from bed to chair, assisting patients to bedside commode, assisted bedpan use, and prepping
• Manikin will allow for practice positioning a patient for surgery
• Practice of correct patient positioning and flexibility exercises
• The manikin’s articulation includes:
  • Trunk: flexibility
  • Neck: rotation, flexibility, lateral curvature
  • Shoulder/hip: adduction, abduction, rotation, flexibility
  • Elbow: flexibility
  • Knee: internal and external rotation
  • Wrist: flexibility
  • Ankle: adduction, abduction, dorsi flexion, plantar flexion

How does this manikin differ from your other nursing manikins?

Chart – Nursing Manikins Features and Functions

How lifelike is this manikin?

The Bariatric Nursing Manikin is the size of a 350-pound male and features soft silicone skin that covers the internal skeletal structure.

How many manikins would you recommend for a 20-student classroom?

We recommend two manikins for a 20-student classroom.

Do you offer product support?

Yes! Our product support team is available M-F 8am-5pm Central Time via phone, email, or chat. Contact customer support here.

What other program support do you provide?

We offer free webinars, blogs, and classroom resources to help your program succeed. Follow Realityworks on your favorite social media platforms: X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for other tips and tricks