Contributors and consultants

• 1 Assessment:
  Reviewing the techniques


• 2 Assessment findings:
  Distinguishing health from disease


• 3 ECGs:
  Interpreting them with ease and accuracy


• 4 Common laboratory tests:
  Giving care and interpreting results


• 5 Common disorders:
  Treating and preventing diseases


• 6 Common procedures:
  Performing them safely and accurately


• 7 Surgical patient care:
  Reviewing the techniques


• 8 Pain management:
  Assessing pain and using medications


• 9 Pressure ulcers and
  traumatic wound care:
  Preventing, staging, and treating wounds


• 10 Precautions:
  Preventing the spread of infection


• 11 Troubleshooting:
  Spotting and correcting equipment problems


• 12 Drug administration:
  Reviewing the methods


• 13 Dosage calculation:
  Ensuring effective therapy


• 14 Drug hazards:
  Recognizing and responding to them


• 15 Complications:
  Spotting and correcting life-threatening conditions


• 16 End-of-life care:
  Caring for the dying patient and his family


• 17 Documentation systems:
  Completing forms fully and concisely



Appendices



• Cultural considerations in patient care


• Potential agents of bioterrorism


• Web sites of selected organizations


• Dangerous abbreviations


• Selected references



Index