Semaglutide for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2022, there are approximately 37.3 million persons, in the United States alone, with diabetes. Despite the continued advances in medical research for this chronic medical condition, the number of persons with a diagnosis of diabetes continues to escalate. In addition, another 96 million adults are believed to have prediabetes; thus, newly approved treatments for diabetes are the focus of the medical community.

In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration approved the medication semaglutide injectable (Ozempic) in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. The drug quickly gained acceptance in the medical community, as it offered positive effects on weight loss and associated chronic health risks. The drug has risen in popularity over the past few years, causing drug shortages of the medication for its intended (Type 2 diabetics) patient population. The goal of this course is to educate the nursing professional on all aspects of semaglutide (Ozempic), including clinical indications, patient education, and appropriate treatment guidelines. 

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

  1. Verbalize the three main types of diabetes.
  2. Discuss common blood tests used to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.
  3. Describe the action of non-insulin injectable diabetes medication semaglutide.
  4. Discuss dosing guidelines and target treatment goals.
  5. Identify patient specific cautions and contraindications for this medication. 
  6. Verbalize common side effects of semaglutide.
  7. Discuss lifestyle behavior modification education initiatives specific to persons with diabetes.
  8. Discuss concerns over the long-term use of semaglutide injectable specific to the treatment of T2DM.
     

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Diabetes Overview

Chapter 2: Types of Diabetes

Chapter 3: Diagnostic Testing

Chapter 4: The Introduction of Semaglutide (Ozempic)

Chapter 5: Antagonist/Agonist GLP-1, Ghrelin, and Leptin

Chapter 6: Semaglutide Overview

Chapter 7: Semaglutide, Diabetes, and Gastroparesis

Chapter 8: Lifestyle Behavior Modification

Chapter 9: References 

Price: $12.00

Contact Hour: 1

Course Author

Maureen Sullivan-Tevault

Maureen graduated nursing school in 1981 and has spent her years in the Emergency and Trauma field, including nursing positions as the Emergency Department Manager, Director of Staff Education, Trauma Coordinator, Cardiology Nurse Navigator, and Stroke Program Manager.

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