Which signs should the nurse include when discussing metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. One of the primary features of metabolic syndrome is truncal obesity, which refers to excess fat around the abdomen. This type of obesity is particularly concerning due to its association with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.

In addition to truncal obesity, hypercholesterolemia, or high levels of cholesterol in the blood, is another significant characteristic of metabolic syndrome. Elevated cholesterol levels can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, which increases the risk for coronary artery disease.

The other choices, while related to metabolic and cardiovascular health, do not encapsulate the primary features of metabolic syndrome as clearly. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with cardiovascular risk but are not a core component of metabolic syndrome. Glucose intolerance is related but does not necessarily define the syndrome on its own without the other elements. Lastly, the mention of a client taking losartan does not pertain directly to the signs of metabolic syndrome itself; losartan is an antihypertensive medication that may be part of a treatment plan for patients with this condition but does not represent a sign of the syndrome.

Therefore, the inclusion of truncal obesity and hypercholesterolem