Praise for the First Edition: "Developing a comprehensive differential diagnosis for a specific complaint is a daunting task even for experienced advanced practice nurses. This user-friendly clinical guide provides a strategy and standard format for working through this complex task. It is a wonderful tool for both students and new advanced practice nurses."–5 stars, Doody's This one-of-a-kind resource is designed to help Advanced Practice Provider students master the process of conducting a quality differential diagnosis. It contains 95 symptom-based cases that empower readers to practice and hone their clinical skills. Consistently formatted, patient-based case scenarios begin with a common symptom and provide expert guidance to help students work though a diagnosis. Diagnostic reasoning for each clinical scenario is presented step-by-step and each step is explicitly linked to the next. They are now organized by body system and coordinate with related texts for easy reference. Cases include focused patient history questions and responses, physical exam findings, a differential diagnosis table, a diagnostic examination table, and a summary analyzing the critical thinking process. Symptoms are presented via a systematic case study approach that encompasses chief complaint, past history, physical exam, case study, differential diagnosis, diagnostic exam, and clinical decision making. Boxes comparing clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis further help to illuminate the decision-making process. New to the Third Edition: Includes 23 completely new cases Delivers 55 Test Bank Multiple Choice Questions for instructors to assign Provides online access to 18 additional cases Reorganized by body system for easy reference Presented in two-color design for ease of use Key Features: Provides step-by-step approach to building sound clinical decision-making skills Links each step to the next for utmost clarity Guides APP students and novice practitioners in conducting a problem-focused history and examination Presents cases systematically for ease of use Includes unique differential diagnosis tables and diagnostic examination tables to clarify decision-making strategies Illuminates decision making with boxes comparing clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis

Praise for the First Edition: “Developing a comprehensive differential diagnosis for a specific complaint is a daunting task even for experienced advanced practice nurses. This user-friendly clinical guide provides a strategy and standard format for working through this complex task. It is a wonderful tool for both students and new advanced practice nurses...” -- 5 stars, Doody’s This easy-access clinical guide to over 70 commonly seen symptoms, written for advanced practice provider (APP) students and new practitioners, describes a step-by-step process for obtaining a reliable patient history, choosing the appropriate physical exam, and using the patient history and physical exam findings to form a differential diagnosis. The second edition continues to include the case study approach, and is updated to incorporate 22 new symptoms along with contributions by a new editor, who is a leader in holistic health. The guide is distinguished by several unique features including focused patient history questions and responses, Physical Exam Findings, a Differential Diagnosis Table (clearly comparing potential diagnostic choices based on symptoms), a Diagnostic Examination table (including estimated costs and codes), and a Case Study Summary highlighting the critical thinking process. Symptoms are presented alphabetically in a systematic, unfolding case study approach and include chief complaint, presenting history, past history, and explicit methodology for determining correct diagnosis. Key Features: Describes over 70 (22 new to the second edition) commonly presented symptoms with unfolding case scenarios Offers a step-by-step approach to building clinical decision-making skills Provides quick access to differential diagnosis, requisite diagnostic tests, and clinical-decision making Guides APP students and novice practitioners in conducting a problem-focused history and examination Includes unique Differential Diagnosis tables and Diagnostic Examinations tables that help clarify strategies for diagnostic decision making

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Your essential guide in the assessment and diagnostic process. Step by step, you’ll hone your ability to perform effective health assessments, obtain valid data, interpret the findings, and recognize the range of conditions that can be indicated by specific findings to reach an accurate differential diagnosis. You’ll have coverage of 170 conditions and symptoms across the lifespan at your fingertips. ***** Powerful little clinical assessment tool! “Book required for graduate nursing course. Didn't disappoint! Especially helpful with formulating the differential diagnoses in the care plan...”—Susan, Online Reviewer ***** Really good organization. Helpful descriptions. Easy to find information. “I actually really liked this text for my Advanced Assessment course. I liked how it was broken down by area or body system, and then further broken down my differential diagnosis. The information is organized in a way that makes sense and is super easy to skim to find exactly what you need.”—Alexx, Online Reviewer Expanded, Revised & Updated! Thoroughly updated to reflect the art and the science of primary care practice as well as the newest evidence and changes in health care New Chapter! Differential Studies New & Expanded! Content in Chapter 1 on history taking-techniques and skills for special populations Expanded! Lab diagnostics information, as well as discussions of health disparities, cultural humility, and competency New Content! Genetic testing for pharmacologic prescriptions for psychiatric mental health conditions New! Diagnosis algorithm decision trees designed to help nurses assess and diagnose conditions such as chronic sore throat, chronic insomnia, and more Coverage of 170 conditions and symptoms across the life span—including children, older adults, and pregnant patients. Complaint-focused approach organized by body system, including discussions of complex conditions Step-by-step how tos for taking a focused history, performing a physical based on presenting complaints/problems, and interpreting the findings Guidance on selecting diagnostic tests and interpreting those studies to help narrow down the diagnoses Prediction rules for selected disorders Quick-reference features, including red flags Ÿ assessment pearls Ÿ medications causing symptoms Ÿ and selected causes of symptoms

The first textbook to specifically target the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants With a focus on promoting sound clinical decision-making and a streamlined and highly accessible approach, this text for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants delivers up-to-date primary care health assessment techniques for individuals throughout the lifespan. Each chapter offers a concise overview of anatomy and physiology and an in-depth review of normal and abnormal findings. The holistic assessment section for each system—emphasizing the importance of social considerations—further prepares students for informed clinical practice. Chapters feature a comprehensive assessment of special populations, including patients with disabilities; pediatric, pregnant, and elderly patients; and transgendered and veteran populations, as well as differential diagnosis guidance in tabular format. Chapters are further enhanced with illustrations, images, and case studies that demonstrate clinical reasoning and application of principles to practice. A robust ancillary package includes an instructor manual, discussion questions, multiple-choice questions, and PowerPoint slides. Key Features: Addresses anatomy and physiology, normal and abnormal findings, and holistic health assessment, including assessment of special populations Offers case studies with examples of documentation and coding information Fosters diagnostic reasoning and critical-thinking with thorough differential diagnosis tables Provides visual guidance on the recognition and assessment of normal and abnormal findings with illustrations and images Includes a robust ancillary package with an instructor manual, discussion questions, multiple-choice questions, and PowerPoint slides

It is vital for NPs and PAs to be highly skilled in EKG interpretation to correctly identify high-risk patients and to make appropriate clinical decisions. This reference book is the first to present a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to EKG interpretation, covering all major topics required for expertise in this area. Based on a physiologic approach that facilitates in-depth understanding, the text includes clinical scenarios that may be seen in practice, and firmly links the information found in the EKG printout to the patientís symptoms. It clearly presents the gamut of requisite topics in EKG interpretationófrom basic to complexóincluding topics not customarily addressed in depth, such as supraventricular tachycardias and pacemaker EKGs. The bookís multifaceted approach to EKG interpretation is enhanced with new approaches and recommendations, charts, and tables. Review questions at the end of each chapter enable students to identify problem areas. This book helps NPs, PAs, and other health professionals master their EKG interpretation skills and apply them with confidence every day. Key Features: Presents the first comprehensive guide to EKG interpretation Based on a physiological approach to promote in-depth understanding Connects the patientís presenting symptoms to EKG interpretation Uses charts, graphs, and printouts to support class discussion Includes end-of-chapter review questions

Designed for quick reference, this pocket manual contains algorithms for the diagnosis of 227 symptoms and signs. The algorithms will aid the busy clinician in organizing the approach to diagnosis and performing a cost-effective workup. Symptoms and signs are arranged alphabetically. For each symptom or sign, the list of diagnostic possibilities is organized into an algorithm that shows, at a glance, what historical or clinical data to look for. Dr. Collins then explains which tests to order and when to refer the patient to a specialist. This edition includes new diagnostic tests and algorithms for differential diagnosis of abnormal routine laboratory tests.

The First Book of its Kind Praise from Doody's Medical Reviews - Score: 93 "This well-developed book provides acute care guidelines for the geriatric population in an easy-to-follow format that uses structural elements such as numbering and multilevel lists for each system. It is an excellent reference for advanced practice prepared-clinicians to help identify, diagnose, and develop a treatment plan for acute health issues in older adults and geriatric patients." -Tho Nguyen, DNP, MSN, RN Delivers expert guidance for the common conditions seen in adult–gerontology acute care practice The first book of its kind, this evidence-based resource provides nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other advanced practice providers with the clinical knowledge they need to effectively practice adult-gerontology acute care. In quick-reference format, this system-based text describes more than 90 common conditions health providers are likely to see in their acute care practice. In this interprofessionally contributed text, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and physician authors provide expert insight into each condition, enabling readers to categorize symptoms, be alert to the distinguishing features of disease symptoms and clusters, and find associated diagnoses. Comprehensive descriptions of conditions encompass definitions, incidence, pathophysiology, common signs and symptoms, vital subjective and pertinent physical exam data, differential diagnoses, diagnostic tests, and evaluation and management plans. This handy, accessible text also includes perioperative considerations, discharge guidelines, treatment and disease management algorithms, and procedural guidelines. Key Features: Presents key points for more than 90 acute care conditions in quick-reference format Includes considerations for such topics as preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative evaluation and management Offers discharge guidelines for inpatient conditions Disseminates over 20 procedural guidelines, such as central and arterial line insertion, bronchoscopy, ECMO, endotracheal intubation, and more

For more than three decades, Differential Diagnosis and Treatment in Primary Carehas helped primary care practitioners to systematically approach the differential diagnosis of the symptoms and signs they see in practice. Organized into categories such as pain, mass, bloody discharge, non-bloody discharge, functional changes, and abnormal laboratory results, this bestselling clinical reference helps you apply your basis science knowledge to consider all of the possible causes of each symptom, and then take the appropriate steps to determine which one is most likely. Apply the latest knowledge due to comprehensive updates throughout the text, including new signs and symptoms, new and expanded case histories, updated diagnostic tests, and more. Interact with patients more effectively with a new section on bedside manner, and get therapeutic guidance from a new section on the treatment of common diseases. Know what to look for thanks to abundant anatomical drawings that highlight relevant features in each body area. Develop your diagnostic skills with cases and clinical questions for each sign or symptom, as well as the framework for thinking through those questions to arrive at the appropriate diagnosis. Select the appropriate diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests to include in the workup. Recognize when to refer a patient to a specialist with a special section on this topic.