Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Skills for Nurses, Paramedics and ECPs

This second edition has been improved and expanded based on readers feedback. Chris Breen is a Registered Nurse who served with the RAMC, a Paramedic and Clinical Tutor with additional qualifications in Trauma and Remote Medicine. He has had a long term interest in emergency medicine and is the Medical Advisor for a Preparedness group and runs courses in Survival Medicine. Craig Ellis is a Medical doctor who trained as a Specialist Emergency Physician. He has a special interest in austere medicine and medical practice during prolonged disasters. He has both worked and taught austere medical practice. The contents of this book are derived from a number of articles which have been published online and the syllabus of Course they run. Its aim is to provide key information on Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis in an understandable way, suitable for both beginners and Experienced practitioners. In addition to detailed medical and trauma assessments, explanations of common diseases and conditions at provided with signs and symptoms. Red flag indicators for each body system and individual conditions are also detailed. INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS CHAPTER 2 FRACTURES CHAPTER 3 SPINAL TRAUMA CHAPTER 4 DISLOCATIONS CHAPTER 5 WOUNDS AND BURNS CHAPTER 6 HEAD, CHEST AND ABDOMINAL TRAUMA CHAPTER 7 ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISIONS (RTCS) CHAPTER 8 JOINTS, MUSCLES, TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS CHAPTER 9 ALLERGIC REACTION CHAPTER 10 RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES CHAPTER 11 ABDOMINAL ILLNESSES CHAPTER 12 NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS CHAPTER 13 CIRCULATORY PROBLEMS CHAPTER 14 DIABETES CHAPTER 15 POISONING CHAPTER 16 SHOCK CHAPTER 17 EAR, NOSE AND THROAT (ENT) CHAPTER 18 EYE PROBLEMS CHAPTER 19 SKIN CONDITIONS CHAPTER 20 MINOR MEDICAL PROBLEMS CHAPTER 21 MEDICATION CHAPTER 22 VACCINES (IMMUNISATION) CHAPTER 23 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS CHAPTER 24 BITES, STINGS AND PARASITES CHAPTER 25 CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS &TESTS CHAPTER 26 DENTAL PROBLEMS CHAPTER 27 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES CHAPTER 28 OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CHAPTER 29 INFECTIOUS DISEASES, NUCLEAR BIOLOGICAL & NERVE AGENT WARFARE CHAPTER 30 GUNSHOT WOUNDS, EXPLOSIONS & TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS CHAPTER 31 TRIAGE CHAPTER 32 NUTRITION CHAPTER 33 PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS CHAPTER 34 ECG INTERPRETATION APPENDIX 1 GCS APPENDIX 2 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY APPENDIX 3 FURTHER READING INDEX