The goal of this book is to teach the ability to form an autonomous and clinically useful opinion about any 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG). It introduces basic principles of anatomy and physiology, including a review of the heart’s electrical system. The heart has an intricate electrical system, made up of highly specialized cells, that is responsible for generating each heart beat. The heart’s electrical system consists of five structures: the sinoatrial (SA node), the atrioventricular (AV node), the bundle of His, the right and left bundle branches, and the Purkinje fibers. One of the most basic yet important pieces of information the EKG provides is the heart rate (HR). The most accurate way to measure heart rate is by measuring the R-R interval. Learning the normal electrical direction of forces in the heart provides a simple and scientific way of understanding and interpreting an EKG. The book also discusses vital elements of cardiology, such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities and heart block, ischemic and nonischemic disorders, and more. It explains various types of heart blocks such as premature atrial contraction, sinus arrest and asystole, and various types of pacemakers such as ventricular pacemaker and artrial pacemakers. Drug effects and toxicities, electrolyte imbalances, trauma, pericardial diseases, lung disease, cancer, cardiomyopathies, and systemic diseases are conditions that can cause specific changes on the EKG.

Effective health communication is the result of a complex process that begins with understanding the theories related to various interdependent and interrelated communication disciplines. This book is intended to serve as a source of information, primarily as a stimulant for interaction, exploration, application, reflection, and self–assessment. To assist the reader in better assimilating and utilizing these disciplines, each chapter provides real and/or hypothetical examples that can be assessed and analyzed. The first chapter is an introduction and is followed by a chapter on health care pedagogy, which explores all aspects of American health care and its impact on a wide variety of health communication contexts and audiences. Another chapter focuses on interpersonal and gendered communication which is important to interpersonal relationship development and maintenance. Provider–patient communication is interpersonal, and differences in cultures potentially impact provider–patient communication. Ethical communication in clinical practice is critical to informed and collaborative decision making and enhances provider–patient interpersonal relationships. Leadership communication theories help the health care providers to understand and potentially apply in their various roles, situations, and/or teams. The book also discusses risk management vis–à–vis effective verbal, nonverbal, written communication policies, palliative care and end–of–life communication.

This book presents readers with the essential aspects of the subspecialty infectious diseases. The second edition of the book includes new developments that are consistent with the published peer-reviewed medical literature and published relevant clinical practice guidelines. The book’s intended audiences are students and medical providers in training. It provides information evolved from prior formal didactic lectures or bedside clinical teaching on clinical infectious diseases, microbiology, and antimicrobial pharmacology that was delivered to help students, residents, fellows, and primary care physicians. Current basic science and clinical concepts regarding each relevant infectious disease topic are still written as a synoptic account to make these topics clear and practical for the readers. The book is organized into 18 parts containing 52 chapters. It adheres wherever possible to a standard pattern of description that aims to define the topic and provide an introduction that would include classification, pathophysiology, and epidemiologic information. The book also lists relevant causative microorganisms; describe the clinical aspects and approach to the topic with the physical examination and relevant laboratory methods, diagnostic imaging, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The first part provides introduction to clinical reasoning, antimicrobial stewardship, antimicrobial agents, and medical microbiology. The remaining parts describes the approach to various topics such as: fever of unknown origin, leukocytosis, bloodstream and cardiovascular infections, pulmonary infections, gastrointestinal infections, hepatobiliary infections, hepatic infections, renal–urinary infections, neurological infections, orthopedic-related infections, skin and soft-tissue infections, sexually transmitted infections, infections related to obstetrics and gynecology, eye infections, sepsis, transplant-related infections, ectoparasite-related infections, and infection control and epidemiology. The book’s goal is to help guide the reader through the diagnostic evaluation as well as the process of caring for the patient with an infection.

This book serves as a practical and useful guide for the multidisciplinary management of long-term cancer survivors. It consists of 16 chapters that are organized into two sections. Section 1: Foundations of cancer survivorship care covers basic principles of survivorship that aids the clinician in the assessment and management of survivors' care. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the reader to core concepts of survivorship; provides a review of the Institute of Medicine core domains; and present a definition of cancer survivorship and long-term cancer survivors. Chapter 3 provides a detailed discussion of the basic concepts of surveillance, late effects, and prevention of new or secondary cancers. Chapter 4 outlines the psychologic challenges that often accompany the survivorship experience. Strategies for cancer screening and prevention are discussed in Chapter 5 with application to the needs of long-term cancer survivors. Chapters 6 and 7 focus on the complex care of older survivors, ≥ 65 years and provides a useful discussion of late effects and comorbid conditions which create a confluence of special needs for this population. Chapter 8 discusses the role of integrative medicine in addressing some of the late effects of cancer and its treatment. The book is designed for care of the adult survivors; however, Chapter 9 addresses the burdens faced by adolescent and young adults who are survivors of cancer. Section 2: survivorship care and management for selected disease sites focuses on cancers selected by editors because they were the sites with the largest number of survivors seen in the clinics or are considered the most common in long-term survivors. Chapters 10 to 16 offer guidance on surveillance, prevention, late effects, and psychosocial issues encountered by cancer survivors. Brief clinical vignettes illustrate the application of the clinical practice algorithm(s) and survivorship care plan developed for each type of cancer.

This book presents clinical scenarios that involve various chief complaints and reasons for consults that typically confront cardiovascular clinicians in an acute care setting. It helps the novice and experienced clinician alike particularly those evaluating patients with potential cardiac problems identify and extract key features of the chief complaint in order to formulate an accurate diagnosis. The book prepares new providers in acute care settings to ask the right questions, ask questions early, immediately begin to form a differential diagnosis, and take the best care of the patient who presents with chest pain, shortness of breath, and syncope. It is a must-read for all physician assistants and nurse practitioners who need a handy tool to meet the needs of their patients when they enter the acute care setting. The book presents a case scenario format, contrasting the history obtained by an emergency department provider from that of a cardiovascular provider, helps readers identify critical findings simply and clearly. It exposes key questions and lines of questioning systematically for the most common complaints for which hospital-based cardiologists are consulted. The book is organized into three parts containing thirteen chapters. The first part describes common presentations of acute cardiac conditions such as chest pain, shortness of breath, syncope and elevated troponin. The second part discusses uncommon presentations of acute cardiac conditions such as fatigue, cough and abdominal pain. The final part provides a bonus section on writing up complete history and physical examination finding.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are the backbone of primary care. They see a wide variety of patients who experience different types of pain. Knowing how to deal with a multitude of patients with different pain complaints can help move these patients through the healthcare system efficiently with positive outcomes. With substance abuse disorders on the minds of both providers and patients, information on the best practices to use for pain management with medication as well as other treatment modalities is vital to providing patient-centered care. In light of the opioid epidemic, the authors reveal safe prescribing methods, inclusion of the patient in the decision-making process, and ways to monitor opioid use. In addition, topics such as opioid withdrawal, working in systems with pain management, and when to refer to a pain clinic, are covered. More important, information on what the clinician and the patient should expect from such a referral is provided. This book provides useful information on treating both simple and complex pain conditions. Clinically pertinent information on assessment, opioid risk assessment, and treatment options help the clinician treat patients most effectively. Case studies provide the clinician with an opportunity to consider realistic pain presentations. Clinical pearls focus on the important aspects of each chapter, and trending points highlight new and upcoming treatments as well as information on specific topics. The section on integrative and interventional therapies offers valuable and contemporary alternatives to the treatment of pain that can be used in other areas of practice besides pain management.

This handbook was developed as a guide to the strategies and best practices needed by clinicians to assess an individual’s health and well-being. It is intended for a broad audience of health science students and clinicians across disciplines who strive to exemplify excellence in evidence-based assessment and practice. The book provides a practical, scientific, and holistic approach to assessment, in a summarized format that provides ease of access to students and clinicians while in lab and clinical settings. It promotes evidence-based assessment to ensure that clinicians are using valid and reliable examination methods in which to base future decision-making. The book incorporates physical and mental dimensions of wellness, social determinants of health, prevention and self-care needs, into assessment in a manner that respects an individual’s personal perspectives, family and community. It summarizes abnormal subjective (history) and objective (physical exam) findings for common disease states across the life span. The book ensures that clinicians are able to conduct a self-assessment of their own personal health and wellness. Learning to effectively assess the health and well-being of an individual involves integrating skills of history taking, physical examination, and diagnostic decision-making within the context of patient-centered, culturally sensitive, evidence-based clinical practice. The book reviews the physical examination components required to inform clinical decision-making and lists the findings that are generally associated with differential diagnoses. Only with evidence-based assessment can a clinician ensure patient safety and high-quality, cost-effective care. The book comprises of 16 chapters. The first two chapters review evidence-based approaches to assessment—the importance of history taking and approach to general survey. Chapters 3 to 11 review assessment priorities and common diagnoses relative to specific body systems. Chapters 12 to 15 focus on assessments related to sexual and reproductive health and obstetric assessment. Chapter 16 focuses on mental status and mental health.

The third edition of this book is for primary care providers and any providers who encounter electrocardiograms (EKG) in their practices. It takes a clinical focus for the interpretation of EKGs, enhancing the understanding of complex conditions while providing a logical, practical application. It discusses and explains the pathophysiology of the conditions, which facilitates understanding rather than memorization. Throughout the book is useful clinical information that can be immediately applied to practice, as well as case studies with 12-lead EKG strips, which help to refine the reader’s EKG interpretation skills. This third edition is exceptional, with the inclusion of helpful tables that summarize complex information and useful illustrations to aid in visualization. Each end-of-chapter quiz features review questions designed to reinforce and enhance the learning objectives. The culmination of each chapter quizzes the reader’s mind and intuition with review questions to reinforce the learning objectives. The book delivers a compilation of narrative, diagrams, tables, actual patient EKGs, and case studies, which provides a complete yet succinct learning experience for the student and clinician. Providers are instrumental in identifying abnormalities on EKGs for further evaluation and treatment leading to life-saving measures. As the population ages, the incidence of abnormalities expressed on an EKG grows significantly, which poses a challenge to providers. Whether one is a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or physician, the book is concise, to the point, and an absolute asset to one’s practice. It is an indispensable resource regardless of the experience level and whether one is learning for the first time or extending their knowledge and experience in the interpretation of an EKG.

This book is of great practical and pedagogical value to anyone who is involved in interdisciplinary education in the health professions. It is written for health professions educators, with an emphasis toward the needs of physician assistant and nurse practitioner faculty. The book presents an interprofessional and collaborative perspective on health professions education. It can be used by educators to improve their own scholarship, leadership, and work–life balance. This book is divided into eight sections. Part I, Curriculum Design and Implementation, provides resources on how to conduct curriculum mapping, follow competency- and milestone-based approaches to instruction, and integrate interprofessional education in the curriculum. Part II, Active Teaching–Learning Methodologies, focuses on active learning strategies such as problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), and flipped classrooms. This section also provides resources on how to incorporate technology in the classroom and how to use social media and big data to facilitate teaching and learning. Part III, Clinical Education, provides state-of-the-art resources on simulation, international clinical education, interprofessional education in the clinical setting, and service learning. Part IV, Assessment and Evaluation of Learning Outcomes, presents information on how to assess and remediate professionalism as well as how to assess diverse leaners. Part V, Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, provides approaches to achieve inclusion excellence and promote faculty and student success. Part VI, Promoting Scholarship and Leadership, addresses both faculty and student leadership and provides essential information on how to develop your career and navigate the academic milieu. Part VII, Program Operations, tackles fundamentals such as admission practices, legal matters in academia and creating a culture of restorative justice. The final section, Current Trends and Future Directions, explores what is new in health professions education as well as thoughts on what is likely to be coming next.

This book provides a concise, easy-to-read, yet comprehensive look at electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation. You will begin learning foundational anatomy and physiology and finish with recent important 12-lead EKG topics that are overlooked by many other texts. To master EKG interpretation, you must use a systematic approach. This book teaches a newly developed method that has been proved to enhance retention of the material and makes sure that you do not miss anything. This type of algorithmic method was first introduced by Dr. M. Mirtajaddini in an article published in the Journal of Electrocardiography. With Dr. Mirtajaddini’s permission, the author’s take on this systematic approach is woven through each chapter and illustrates the step-by-step method. Readers of this book are clinicians or soon-to-be healthcare providers. You must be able to use the information that you can gather from the electrocardiogram to make clinical decisions, some of which will be required to save patients’ lives. The book provides you with clinical connections and includes brief descriptions of symptoms, potential causes of EKG findings, and treatment options that should be considered. It also touches on the anatomy and pathophysiology behind the disease processes, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the material. At the end of each chapter, you will find questions about foundational concepts and, most importantly, hundreds of opportunities to practice your interpretation skills. You will start with basic rhythm strip interpretation and advance to 12-lead EKGs using real-life case studies. This resource uses a step-by-step systematic method, real-world clinical applications, and abundant practice opportunities to teach you everything you need to know to provide expert, quality care. New to the second edition: incorporates over 360 exercises that apply and reinforce chapter concepts; and offers hundreds of practice opportunities including EKG strip interpretation, case studies, and questions with detailed explanations.