Patient Care Guidelines for Nurse Practitioners

This essential handbook is a must-have reference for nurse practitioners in all areas of practice! Designed for fast and simple access, the book's step-by-step format outlines diagnosis, appropriate therapy, indications for consultation, referral, and follow-up for nearly 150 common problems. Special features include a clinical overview and orientation; clinical definition for each problem; age-specific health maintenance guidelines; and focus on medical emergencies, like snake bites, burns, cardiac arrest, head injuries, poisoning, and drug overdose. New in this edition: Increased information on health promotion, prevention and non-medical/pharmacological treatments, Patient Education, prevention headings in each treatment section, and highlights from Healthy People 2000; and new information on Older Adult Health Assessment and Management, including injury prevention, age-appropriate screenings, functional assessment, mental status exams, and advanced directives. This handy resource will help nurse practitioners to make rapid, accurate assessments and plan effective courses of treatment for their patients.