Acutely ill adults present in a variety of settings and caring for them is a key part of the nursing associate role. This book equips you with the skills and knowledge to assess the acutely ill adult and manage their care. Each chapter follows a case study of a patient presenting with an acute illness, working step-by-step through their assessment and care whilst drawing on relevant pathophysiology, pharmacology and evidence-based practice. Written in clear language specifically for the nursing associate, this is your perfect introduction to the world of acute care. Key features Fully mapped to the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates (2018) Introduces a range of commonly encountered acute illnesses across different body systems A unique case study approach uses real-world practice scenarios to make understanding the complex theory, pathophysiology and pharmacology much easier Focuses specifically on the requirements of the nursing associate role, helping you to develop into a confident professional practitioner

Rapid Assessment of the Acutely Ill Patient sets out the principles and practices needed for early recognition and assessment of patients either at risk of or showing signs of acute deterioration, or those recently relocated from higher levels of care. The focus is on patient assessment, interpretation and evaluation of data, immediate management of significant problems, ongoing and further assessments in order to improve clinical outcomes. Rapid Assessment of the Acutely Ill Patient provides a framework for a systematic initial patient assessment and explores principles of effective assessment. Body systems are considered in order of life-threatening priority following the ABCDE approach, dealing with the assessment and management of airway, breathing, circulation, disability - and everything else; covering topics such as visual, palpatory and auscultatory assessment, use of additional documented information (charts, notes etc), and interpreting diagnostic investigations. Methods to ensure effective communication and team-working are also discussed. Key features Part of the Essential Clinical Skills for Nurses series Aimed at nurses working in wards and specialist departments Explores the assessment skills required for a rapid response to a patient at risk of becoming acutely unwell Enables students and practitioners to develop practical and interpretative skills Provides a framework for assessment and principles of first line treatment Includes 'Look', 'Listen', 'Feel' and 'Measure' icons

"Nursing the Acutely ill Adult is a comprehensive text ... Each chapter draws on the clinical and academic expertise of the author and follows a structured approach that explores the case problems, altered physiology and nursing interventions and care. It is an ideal reference resource for nurses who wish to reflect and explore the evidence base underpinning the complexities of nursing acutely ill adults." Alison Eddleston, Senior Lecturer Acute, Operative and Critical Care, School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, UK "This informative case-based book encourages the reader to critically consider the assessment and care needed by acutely ill adult patients with a variety of underlying conditions. Nursing and other healthcare students ... should find that the book helps with the development of an integrated mindset and evidence-based decision making." Janice Christie, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Primary Care, City University London, UK "The book will enable practitioners to approach the assessment of patients with a range of acute conditions in a structured manner. The case scenarios are very realistic and there are good explanations of underlying patho-physiology. There is also a well structured explanation of investigations and priority interventions ... This book will enable the development of expertise in assessment and prioritising of care in a range of settings." Laurence Leonard, Senior Lecturer, Kingston University and St George's, University of London, UK The complexity of caring for patients who become acutely ill or have deteriorated can be a daunting challenge for nurses. Part of a case book series, this accessible book contains 17 in-depth case studies relating to care of the acutely ill adult. The cases combine pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing care in realistic clinical settings, providing an engaging resource for nursing students taking acute care modules. This handy book: Follows a step-by-step question and answer format Facilitates the application of theory to practice through the use of clinical case studies Considers the most common acute illness scenarios that are frequently encountered by practitioners Integrates knowledge of pathological processes, applied pharmacology and related nursing implications to acute illness Nursing the Acutely Ill Adult: Case Book offers a unique way of relating theory to practice, making it key reading for undergraduate nursing students. It will also be beneficial to students in areas such as intensive care as well as nurse educators looking for a way to bridge the gap between the classroom and clinical practice. Contributors: Patrick Gallagher, Niall McKenna, Billie Joan Rice.

Nurses in all areas of clinical practice must be able to recognise, assess and manage changes to a patient's condition. With a strong focus on pathophysiology, the comprehensive new edition of this essential textbook retains the case study approach that made the first edition so popular with students and educators alike. Offering further reading resources and definitions of key terms to aid learning it develops nurses' key skills such as identifying and explaining the pathophysiology of sepsis; recognising and managing hypovolaemic shock; assessment and management of cardiovascular, neurological and traumatic injury; and understanding priorities in initial stroke assessment and management, including nursing care following administration of a thrombolytic drug. Written by contributors from a range of clinical and academic backgrounds, Nursing the Acutely Ill Adult is essential reading for all students within the adult branch of nursing, a comprehensive book guide to understanding the common signs and symptoms related to serious acute illness in adults. New to this Edition: - A chapter on strokes to account for the significant changes that have occurred in the management of the hyper-acute phase of stroke - A chapter on sepsis in response to feedback from students, staff and lead clinicians - Case studies revised to accommodate a wider variety of settings - Covers possible interventions for problems related to diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and renal disease

This comprehensive and clinically-focused textbook is designed for student and qualified nurses concerned with caring effectively for deteriorating and acutely ill adults outside of specialist intensive care units. Divided into six sections, the book begins with chapters on assessment and the deteriorating patient, including monitoring vital signs and interpreting blood results. This is followed by two sections focusing on breathing and cardiovascular problems respectively. Section 4 explores issues around disability and impairment, including chapters on neurology, pain management, psychological needs and thermoregulation. The penultimate section looks at maintaining the internal environment, with chapters on issues such as nutrition, fluid management and infection control. The text ends with a discussion of legal issues and accountability. Nursing Acutely Ill Adults includes a full range of pedagogical features, including sections: identifying fundamental knowledge; highlighting implications for practice; giving further reading and resources; using case scenarios to help readers relate theory to practice; and providing ‘time out’ exercises. It is the ideal textbook for students taking modules in caring for critically ill adults and qualified nurses working with these patients.

This key textbook equips all nurses with the knowledge and skills required to care for the deteriorating patient in the clinical environment. The book emphasises the importance of systematic assessment, interpretation of clinical signs of deterioration, and the need to escalate the patient in a timely manner. Using a unique system-based approach, each chapter contains structured learning outcomes and concludes with a competence-based skills assessment to perfect the reader's practice skills. These skills are recommended as essential for every nurse in an acute area and key to successful practice. Restructured for ease of use, this new edition has been fully updated to match current guidelines, with new chapters on pain management and the ethics and ceilings of treatment. Written by senior nurses, this key textbook uses real life case studies to link knowledge to practice and is essential reading for all nurses working in acute care settings and undertaking study in the field.

Invaluable for any type of nurse, this informative handbook explains how to identify early signs of health deterioration in at-risk patients and confidently intervene to avoid or lessen the changes of organ damage and death. Appropriate interventions are outlined, ensuring that patients will receive optimal care prior to being transferred to an intensive care unit or will avoid admission altogether.