Category:

Emergency Nursing, Case Studies

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 symptoms 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 the 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. Migraine Headaches
      Cynthia A. Kaczmarek, RN, BSN
    2. Seizures: When Alcohol Is the Culprit
      Kathleen J. Barnett, RN, MSN, CEN
    3. Altered Mental Status: Tricyclic Antidepressant Drug Overdose
      Barbara Mlynczak-Callahan, RN, MS, CCRN
  2. Cardiovascular Health System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Sickle Cell Anemia: When It’s a Crisis
      Kathleen A. Williams, RN, BSN
    2. Acute Myocardial Infarction: Thrombolytic Therapy in the Emergency Department
      Valerie A. Barren, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN
    3. Myocardial Ischemia: The Cocaine Connection
      Barbara Mlynczak-Callahan, RN, MS, CCRN
    4. Primary Tachydysrhythmias in the Emergency Department
      Valerie A. Barron, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN
  3. Respiratory Health System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Asthma: An Elderly Patient
      Kathleen J. Barnett, RN, MSN, CEN
    2. Shortness of Breath: Spontaneous Pneumothorax
      Barbara Van de Castle, RN, MSN
    3. Pulmonary Embolism
      Barbara Van de Castle, RN, MSN
    4. Smoke Inhalation and Cyanide Poisoning
      Cathy Robey-Williams, RN, MS, CCRN
  4. Gastrointestinal-Genitourinary (Elimination) and Nutrition Health Systems
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Acute Pancreatitis and the Alcoholic Patient
      James Jay Hoelz, RN, MS, CEN
    2. Hypoglycemia
      Kathleen Keenan, RN, MS, CCRN
    3. Diabetic Ketoacidosis
      Kathleen Keenan, RN, MS, CCRN
    4. Renal Stones
      Polly Thornton, RN
  5. Structural Health System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Soft Tissue Abscesses the Intravenous Drug User
      Susan C. Roberson, RN, MSN, CRNP
    2. Human Bite
      Suzanne P. Hangasky, RN, BS, CRNP
    3. Compartment Syndrome: S “Fascia-nating” Issue
      Sharon A. Childs, RN, BSN, CEN
    4. Hypothermia: A Winter Emergency
      Cathy Robey-Williams, RN, MS, CCRN
    5. Anaphylaxis: A Bee Sting
      Cathy Robey-Williams, RN, MS, CCRN
  6. Reproductive Health System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Testicular Torsion: A Young Man’s Dilemma
      James Jay Hoelz, RN, MS, CEN
    2. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
      Laura Ann Kress, RN, BSN
    3. Ectopic Pregnancy
      Patricia C. Bent, RN, CEN
  7. Sensory Health System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Loss of Vision: Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
      Leticia V. M. Nanda, RN, MS
    2. Loss of Vision: Penetrating Eye Injury
      Patricia C. Epifanio, RN, MS, CEN
  8. Social Health System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Child Abuse: A Betrayal of the Young
      Laurel Ann Ault, RN, BS
    2. Elder Abuse: Ineffective Coping
      Carol A. Brown, MSW, LCSW
  9. Emotional Health System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. Suicide: Assessing Risk
      Debra Lanouette, RN, MSN, CS
    2. Aggressive Behavior Management
      Debra Lanouette, RN, MSN, CS
  10. Health Management System
    Overview
    Case Studies
    1. High Blood Pressure: Education and Compliance
      Debra Kosko, MN, CRNP
    2. Chemical Dependence: Moving Toward Detox
      Ronald Nichols, RN
    3. When the Diagnosis is AIDS
      Karla Alwood, MS, CRNP

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 textbook will be a great resource.” – P.K., RN, LA

“Excellent work, thanks!” – M.E., LVN, CA

“Very concise & comprehensive.” – R.C., RN, CA