Category:

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 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/li>
    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

 

Customer 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