Introduction

1

Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of On-Call Problems

3

2

Documentation of On-Call Problems

6

3

Assessment and Management of Volume Status

9

4

HIV, HBV, HCV, Influenza, and the House Officer

23

Patient-Related Problems: the Common Calls

5

Abdominal Pain

33

6

Chest Pain

51

7

Combativeness: The Out-of-Control Patient

64

8

Confusion/Decreased Level of Consciousness

69

9

Decreased Urine Output

82

10

Diarrhea

91

11

Fall Out of Bed

101

12

Fever

107

13

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

124

14

Headache

136

15

Heart Rate and Rhythm Disorders

149

16

High Blood Pressure

176

17

Hypnotics, Laxatives, Analgesics, and Antipyretics

186

18

Hypotension and Shock

197

19

Leg Pain

208

20

Lines, Tubes, and Drains

226

21

Polyuria, Frequency, and Incontinence

270

22

Pronouncing Death

279

23

Seizures

284

24

Shortness of Breath

297

25

Skin Rashes and Urticaria

324

26

Stroke

333

27

Syncope

345

28

Transfusion Reactions

355

Laboratory-Related Problems: The Common Calls

29

Acid-Base Disorders

365

30

Anemia

374

31

Calcium Disorders

380

32

Coagulation Disorders

389

33

Glucose Disorders

401

34

Potassium Disorders

413

35

Sodium Disorders

421

Appendixes

A

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Core Drugs and Therapy

430

B

Blood Products

469

C

Reading Electrocardiograms

474

D

Miscellaneous

479

E

SL Units Conversion Table

433

F

The On-Call Formulary

495