HomesteadSchools.com - Emergency Nursing

Edited By
Barbara Mlynczak-Callahan, RN, MS, CCRN;

Course Outline

Critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning are skills essential to emergency professionals. Patients present with myriad symptoms - some seemingly minor complaints, others obviously life threatening. It is the responsibility of pre-hospital providers and emergency department triage personnel to analyze these clusters of symptons and to formulate an immediate plan of care to optimize the outcome.

Case Studies in Emergency Nursing shows how to "think through" the major considerations for each patient presentation. Among the features you'll find:

32 cases representing high risk situations that may be encountered in any ED
22 contributors selected for their respective experience in emergency care and diagnostic reasoning
organization by body systems with special sections on social, emotional and health management problems
cases on child and elder abuse, non-compliance, AIDS, and chemical dependency
a framework for triage based on clusters of complaints, signs and symptoms by health health system, nursing care management and related nursing diagnosis

About the Authors

Barbara Mlynczak-Callahan, RN, MS, CCRN, is Director of Nursing, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

Learning Objectives

1.	You’ll be able to apply critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning to emergency situations, some seemingly minor complaints, other obviously life threatening.
2.	You’ll study 32 cases representing high-risk situations that may be encountered in any ED.
3.	You’ll be able to "think" through major considerations for each patient type and determine a possible course of action at the triage.
4.	You’ll be able to identify symptoms and symbols and learn medical management of the patient outcome.
5.	You’ll determine appropriate nursing intervention and assist the physician in emergency treatment.

Course Contents

	Preface
	Contributors
	Introduction
1	Neurological-Cerebral and Cognitive Health Systems
		Overview
		Case Studies
		1.1	Migraine Headaches Cynthia A. Kaczmarek, RN, BSN
		1.2	Seizures: When Alcohol Is the Culprit Kathleen J. Barnett, RN, MSN, CEN
		1.3	Altered Mental Status: Tricyclic Antidepressant Drug Overdose Barbara Mlynczak-Callahan, RN, MS, CCRN
2	Cardiovascular Health System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		2.1	Sickle Cell Anemia: When It's a Crisis Kathleen A. Williams, RN, BSN
		2.2	Acute Myocardial Infarction: Thrombolytic Therapy in the Emergency Department Valerie A. Barren, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN
		2.3	Myocardial Ischemia: The Cocaine Connection Barbara Mlynczak-Callahan, RN, MS, CCRN
		2.4	Primary Tachydysrhythmias in the Emergency Department Valerie A. Barron, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN
3	Respiratory Health System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		3.1	Asthma: An Elderly Patient Kathleen J. Barnett, RN, MSN, CEN
		3.2	Shortness of Breath: Spontaneous Pneumothorax Barbara Van de Castle, RN, MSN
		3.3	Pulmonary Embolism Barbara Van de Castle, RN, MSN
		3.4	Smoke Inhalation and Cyanide Poisoning Cathy Robey-Williams, RN, MS, CCRN
4	Gastrointestinal-Genitourinary (Elimination) and Nutrition Health Systems
		Overview
		Case Studies
		4.1	Acute Pancreatitis and the Alcoholic Patient James Jay Hoelz, RN, MS, CEN
		4.2	Hypoglycemia Kathleen Keenan, RN, MS, CCRN
		4.3	Diabetic Ketoacidosis Kathleen Keenan, RN, MS, CCRN
		4.4	Renal Stones Polly Thornton, RN
5	Structural Health System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		5.1	Soft Tissue Abscesses the Intravenous Drug User Susan C. Roberson, RN, MSN, CRNP
		5.2	Human Bite Suzanne P. Hangasky, RN, BS, CRNP
		5.3	Compartment Syndrome: S "Fascia-nating" Issue Sharon A. Childs, RN, BSN, CEN
		5.4	Hypothermia: A Winter Emergency Cathy Robey-Williams, RN, MS, CCRN
		5.5	Anaphylaxis: A Bee Sting Cathy Robey-Williams, RN, MS, CCRN
6	Reproductive Health System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		6.1	Testicular Torsion: A Young Man's Dilemma James Jay Hoelz, RN, MS, CEN
		6.2	Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Laura Ann Kress, RN, BSN
		6.3	Ectopic Pregnancy Patricia C. Bent, RN, CEN
7	Sensory Health System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		7.1	Loss of Vision: Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Leticia V. M. Nanda, RN, MS
		7.2	Loss of Vision: Penetrating Eye Injury Patricia C. Epifanio, RN, MS, CEN
8	Social Health System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		8.1	Child Abuse: A Betrayal of the Young Laurel Ann Ault, RN, BS
		8.2	Elder Abuse: Ineffective Coping Carol A. Brown, MSW, LCSW
9	Emotional Health System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		9.1	Suicide: Assessing Risk Debra Lanouette, RN, MSN, CS
		9.2	Aggressive Behavior Management Debra Lanouette, RN, MSN, CS
10	Health Management System
		Overview
		Case Studies
		10.1	High Blood Pressure: Education and Compliance Debra Kosko, MN, CRNP
		10.2	Chemical Dependence: Moving Toward Detox Ronald Nichols, RN
		10.3	When the Diagnosis is AIDS Karla Alwood, MS, CRNP

Comments:

"Studied off-on at my leisure. Enjoyed and did read all the contents. Excellent home study! Will continue to do again, learned a lot!" - M.P., Monrovia, CA

"This course was one of the best I have ever taken. The format was excellent. I really enjoyed and learned from this course." - M.P., Newark, CA

"I enjoyed working on this course - it provided a lot of valuable information and the text book will be a great resource." - P.K., RN, LA

"Excellent work, thanks!" - M.E., LVN, CA

"Very concise & comprehensive." - R.C., RN, CA

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