Acute Nursing Care

Delays in recognising deterioration or inappropriate management of people in acute care settings can result in late treatment, avoidable admissions to intensive care units and in some instances unnecessary deaths. As the role of the nurse in healthcare settings continues to change and evolve, today’s student nurses need to be equipped with the fundamental skills to recognise and manage deterioration in the patient in a competent and confident manner, as you learn to become practitioners of the future.

Using a body systems approach and emphasising the central role and function of the nurse throughout, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the essential issues in this important subject. Topics covered include: recognition and identification of physiological deterioration in adults; identification of disordered physiology that may lead to a medical emergency linked to deterioration of normal function; relevant anatomy and physiology; pathophysiological changes and actions that need to be taken; immediate recognition and response; investigations, diagnosis and management issues; and teaching and preventative strategies.

Chapter 1: Assessment and recognition of emergencies in acute care
Chapter 2: Vulnerability in the acutely ill patient
Chapter 3: The cell and tissues
Chapter 4: Body fluids and electrolytes
Chapter 5: The patient with acute respiratory problems
Chapter 6: The patient with acute cardiovascular problems
Chapter 7: Recognition and management of cardiopulmonary arrest
Chapter 8: The patient with acute renal problems
Chapter 9: The patient with acute neurological problems
Chapter 10: The patient with acute gastro intestinal problems
Chapter 11: The patient with acute endocrine problems
Chapter 12: The patient with altered immunity and sepsis
Chapter 13: The safe transfer of acutely ill patients

• Each chapter is written in an accessible, user-friendly style by a leading specialist in their field to provide informative, expert and practical coverage.
• The text refers to the 2010 NMC competencies throughout, and highlights contemporary and up to date sources on government policy and expert guidance.
• Relevant Case Studies are incorporated throughout to support discussion of the topics and enable students to effectively apply theory to clinical practice.
• Each chapter provides numerous self-test questions, revision exercises and sources for further reading, to support self-directed learning and promote understanding of key concepts.
• Contains numerous colour illustrations to inspire, interest and actively engage students.
• Aims and objectives are used to aid structured, guided learning, and a glossary of terms is provided for each chapter.
• Electronic resources are available online at www.pearsoned.co.uk/peate