Contributors and Consultants

v

1

Assessment: Reviewing the Techniques

1

2

Assessment Findings: Distinguishing Health from Disease

62

3

ECGS: Interpreting them with Ease and Accuracy

103

4

Common Laboratory Tests: Giving Care and Interpreting Results

145

5

Common Disorders: Treating and Preventing Diseases

199

6

Common Procedures: Performing them Safely and Accurately

263

7

Surgical Patient Care: Reviewing the Techniques

402

8

Pain Management: Assessing Pain and Using Medications

435

9

Pressure Ulcers and Traumatic Wound Care: Preventing, Staging, and Treating Wounds

449

10

Precautions: Preventing the Spread of Infection

462

11

Troubleshooting: Spotting and Correcting Equipment Problems

471

12

Drug Administration: Reviewing the Methods

507

13

Dosage Calculation: Ensuring Effective Therapy

538

14

Drug Hazards: Recognizing and Responding to Them

553

15

Complications: Spotting and Correcting Life-Threatening Conditions

633

16

End-Of-Life Care: Caring for the Dying Patient and His Family

654

17

Documentation Systems: Completing Forms Fully and Concisely

659

APPENDICES

Cultural Considerations in Patient Care

676

Potential Agents of Bioterrorism

678

Web Sites of Selected Organizations

680

Dangerous Abbreviations

681

Selected References

682

Index

683