Written predominantly by nurses for nurses, this text is also suitable for a range of healthcare professionals, including paramedics and nurse practitioners, and anybody working in an acute care environment inclu
Trade Review
“Even though aimed at nurses and healthcare practitioners working in the acute sector, I would suggest that this book will be equally appealing to those working in primary care and the community setting whose aim it is to keep patients in their home settings while recognising and managing exacerbations of their conditions. I would also suggest that this book would appeal to junior members of staff as a source of new knowledge, but also to the advanced practitioner as an excellent update and clinical reference.” (Nursing Times, 26 September 2012)
“The book also presents a comprehensive account of the assessment and management of these patients. It covers disease-causing pathophysiology in less depth than other, comparable texts, but many emergency nurses will find it a useful resource.” (Emergency Nurse, 1 September 2012)
Table of Contents
List of Contributors iv
Preface vi
Acknowledgements vii
Introduction viii
Normal Clinical Values ix
1 Initial Assessment of the Acute Medical Patient 1
Judith Morgan and Ian Wood
2 Vulnerable Adults 23
Louise Nelson, Scott Inglis, Fiona Howell, Michael Gibbs and Judi Thorley
3 Sudden Death 56
Sue Read and Jane Jervis
4 Cardiac Arrest 80
Carole Donaldson
5 Shock 108
Judith Morgan and Ian Wood
6 Altered Consciousness 133
Ian Wood and Carole Donaldson
7 Shortness of Breath 170
Michelle Garner, Susan Hope and Ian Wood
8 Chest Pain 221
Michelle Garner Copyrighted Material
9 Abdominal Pain and Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding 262
Toni Jordan, Ruth Harris and Terry Wardle
10 Extremity Pain and Swelling 288
Ian Wood
Index 300
