Endocrinologic Emergencies
The endocrine system is a complex, coordinated, and highly regulated system that helps the body adapt to its constantly changing metabolic needs. One major endocrine-related disease, diabetes mellitus, is frequently…
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Cardiologic Emergencies
Introduction The emergency department (ED) technician (EDT) plays a critical role in the initial assessment, triage, workup, and management of patients with cardiac complaints. This chapter provides a framework for…
Point-of-Care Testing
Introduction Point-of-care (POC) testing is a term used to describe diagnostic testing that is performed in the patient’s unit rather than in the hospital’s central lab or outside reference lab….
Initial Emergency Department Patient Assessment
A systematic approach for the evaluation of a newly arrived ED patient will allow the emergency department (ED) technician to properly evaluate and help prioritize the patient. The ED technician…
Teamwork and Communication
Team Dynamics in the Emergency Department Team dynamics play a vital role in the emergency department (ED) because teamwork and coordination allow for the highest-quality care possible. Individual skills are…
The Role of the Hospital Emergency Department and the Specialty of Emergency Medicine
The Organization of the Hospital A hospital is a complex institution in which patients are treated by members of the hospital’s medical staff, that includes, but is not limited to,…
Emergency Department Organization and Flow
The emergency department (ED) is a complex organization in which care is provided by healthcare providers with a variety of different types of training, employment relationships, heirarchy of roles, and…
Optic Neuropathies: Ischemic, Inflammatory, Infectious, or Compressive
Optic Neuropathies: Ischemic, Inflammatory, Infectious, or Compressive Mitchell B. Strominger Victoria M. Hammond THE CLINICAL CHALLENGE Optic neuropathy is the general term that describes vision loss secondary to a disease…
Papilledema
Papilledema Abbe Craven Brian Milman THE CLINICAL CHALLENGE Papilledema describes optic disc edema secondary to elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Recognition of papilledema is important because if untreated or undertreated, papilledema…
