Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice was developed to stay ahead of current trends and practices in Paramedic education and practice. Changes in cardiac care guidelines and equipment, spinal trauma, neonatology, pediatrics, and incident management necessitated one of the most extensive revisions yet. Hundreds of photos and illustrations were updated.
Volume 2, Patient Assessment, builds on the assessment skills taught in the basic EMT course, empahsizing advanced-level patient assessment and clinical decision-making at the scene.
Key Features
- Chapter Objectives with Page References. List the objectives that form the basis of each chapter, in addition to the page(s) on which each objective is covered.
- Key Points. Help students identify and learn fundamental points.
- Key Terms. Located in margins near the paragraphs in which they first appear, these help students master new terminology.
- Content Review. Summarizes important content, giving students a format for quick review.
- Tables and Illustrations. Provide visual support to enhance understanding.
- Summary. Provides students with a concise review of important chapter information.
- Review Questions. Ask students to recall information and to apply the principles they’ve just learned.
- NEW! Media Resources. Refer students to resources on the accompanying Student CD and on the book’s Companion Website (accessed through www.prenhall.com/bledsoe), where additional activities and information can be found on the chapter’s topics. Also, provides links to other topicspecific websites.
- Case Study. Draws students into the reading and creates a link between the text content and real-life situations and experiences.
- You Make the Call. Promotes critical thinking by requiring students to apply principles to actual practice.
- Procedure Scans. Provide step-by-step visual support on how to perform skills.
- Patient Care Algorithms. Provide graphic “pathways” that integrate assessment and care procedures.
- Patho Pearls. Offer a snapshot of pathological considerations students will encounter in the field.
- Legal Notes. Present instances in which legal or ethical considerations should be evaluated.
- Cultural Considerations. Provide an awareness of beliefs that might affect patient care.
- NEW! Assessment Pearls. Highlight important assessment considerations and techniques.
New to this edition
- AHA standards.All five volumes have been updated to conform to the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
- New Feature! Assessment Pearls - Highlights important assessment considerations and techniques.
- New information on Patient Assessment in the Field, including the use of hemostatic agents.
- New Media Resources - guide students through resources on teh accompanying CD and the book's Companion Websites.
Contents
Chapter 1. The History, 1
- Introduction, 3
- Establishing Patient Rapport, 4
- Setting the Stage, 4
- The First Impression, 4
- Introductions, 5
- Asking Questions, 6
- Language and Communication, 8
- Taking a History on Sensitive Topics, 9
- The Comprehensive Patient History, 10
- Preliminary Data, 10
- The Chief Complaint, 11
- The Present Illness, 11
- The Past History, 13
- Current Health Status, 14
- Review of Systems, 17
- Special Challenges, 19
- Silence, 19
- Overly Talkative Patients, 20
- Patients with Multiple Symptoms, 20
- Anxious Patients, 20
- Patients Needing Reassurance, 21
- Anger and Hostility, 21
- Intoxication, 21
- Crying, 21
- Depression, 22
- Sexually Attractive or Seductive Patients, 22
- Confusing Behaviors or Histories, 22
- Limited Intelligence, 22
- Language Barriers, 23
- Hearing Problems, 23
- Blindness, 23
- Talking with Families or Friends, 23
Chapter 2. Physical Exam Techniques, 27
- Physical Examination Approach and Overview, 30
- Examination Techniques, 31
- Equipment, 35
- The General Approach, 38
- Overview of a Comprehensive Examination, 39
- The General Survey, 39
- Anatomical Regions, 51
- The Skin, 52
- The Hair, 55
- The Nails, 58
- The Head, 60
- The Eyes, 62
- The Ears, 72
- The Nose, 76
- The Mouth, 78
- The Neck, 82
- The Chest and Lungs, 84
- The Cardiovascular System, 92
- The Abdomen, 97
- The Female Genitalia, 103
- The Male Genitalia, 106
- The Anus, 107
- The Musculoskeletal System, 108
- The Peripheral Vascular System, 136
- The Nervous System, 142
- Physical Examination of Infants and Children, 167
- Building Patient and Family Rapport, 167
- General Appearance and Behavior, 167
- Anatomy and the Physical Exam, 169
- Recording Examination Findings, 175
Chapter 3. Patient Assessment in the Field, 183
- Introduction, 186
- Scene Size-Up, 187
- Standard Precautions, 188
- Scene Safety, 190
- Location of All Patients, 195
- Mechanism of Injury, 196
- Nature of the Illness, 197
- The Initial Assessment, 198
- Forming a General Impression, 198
- Mental Status, 200
- AVPU Levels, 200
- Airway Assessment, 201
- Breathing Assessment, 206
- Circulation Assessment, 207
- Priority Determination, 210
- The Focused History and Physical Exam, 211
- The Major Trauma Patient, 211
- The Isolated-Injury Trauma Patient, 221
- The Responsive Medical Patient, 222
- The Unresponsive Medical Patient, 230
- The Detailed Physical Exam, 231
- Components of the Comprehensive Exam, 232
- Vital Signs, 238
- Recording Exam Findings, 238
- Ongoing Assessment, 238
- Mental Status, 238
- Airway Patency, 238
- Breathing Rate and Quality, 239
- Pulse Rate and Quality, 240
- Skin Condition, 240
- Transport Priorities, 240
- Vital Signs, 240
- Focused Assessment, 240
- Effects of Interventions, 241
- Management Plans, 241
Chapter 4. Clinical Decision Making, 246
- Introduction to Critical Thinking, 248
- Paramedic Practice, 248
- Patient Acuity, 249
- Protocols and Algorithms, 250
- Critical Thinking Skills, 250
- Fundamental Knowledge and Abilities, 251
- Useful Thinking Styles, 253
- Thinking under Pressure, 255
- Mental Checklist, 255
- The Critical Decision Process, 256
- Form a Concept, 256
- Interpret the Data, 257
- Apply the Principles, 257
- Evaluate the Results, 257
- Reflect on the Incident, 258
- Putting It All Together, 258
Chapter 5. Communications, 262
- Introduction to Communication, 264
- Basic Communication Model, 265
- Verbal Communication, 266
- Written Communication, 267
- Terminology, 268
- The EMS Response, 269
- Communication Technology, 276
- Radio Communication, 276
- Alternative Technologies, 278
- New Technology, 279
- Reporting Procedures, 280
- Standard Format, 280
- General Radio Procedures, 281
- Regulation, 282
Chapter 6. Documentation, 286
- Introduction, 288
- Uses for Documentation, 288
- Medical, 288
- Administrative, 289
- Research, 289
- Legal, 289
- General Considerations, 290
- Medical Terminology, 292
- Abbreviations and Acronyms, 292
- Times, 297
- Communications, 298
- Pertinent Negatives, 298
- Oral Statements, 298
- Additional Resources, 298
- Elements of Good Documentation, 299
- Completeness and Accuracy, 299
- Legibility, 299
- Timeliness, 301
- Absence of Alterations, 301
- Professionalism, 302
- Narrative Writing, 302
- Narrative Sections, 302
- General Formats, 305
- Special Considerations, 307
- Patient Refusals, 307
- Services Not Needed, 309
- Multiple-Casualty Incidents, 309
- Consequences of Inappropriate Documentation, 311
- Closing, 311
Precautions on Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Disease, 317
Suggested Responses to “You Make the Call”, 319
Answers to Review Questions, 323
Glossary, 325
Index, 329
Product Details
- Hardcover: 432 pages
- Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall; 3rd edition (March 17, 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0135137039
- ISBN-13: 978-0135137031
- Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
List Price: $78.67