Primary Care Across the Lifespan

Book excerpt: A comprehensive text for students in Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner programs offering guidelines for primary care across the lifespan. The content is divided into two parts: Part I is comprised of more than 200 common complaints and conditions, covered in-depth and organized alphabetically. Each chapter is logically formatted using the SOAPE outline (subjective and objective findings, assessment, therapeutic plan, and evaluation), which mirrors the clinical reasoning process. Lifespan content on physical findings and appropriate treatments for children, elderly, and pregnant women is integrated as appropriate within each chapter and highlighted in boldface. Diagnostic tests, differential diagnoses, and pharmaceutical treatments are organized into tables and treatment plans are accompanied by algorithms for quick visual reference. Part II covers client wellness across the lifespan and includes growth and development charts, physical examination forms, and health promotionrecommendations. The extensive Appendices include quick reference data, such as drug tables, immunization schedules, and laboratory values for clients in various age groups, making this book a valuable tool for students to use in nurse practitioners andon into practice. * Presents each condition and complaint in the SOAPE format -- Subjective findings, Objective findings, Assessment, Plan, Evaluation -- for a logical presentation of the material that mirrors clinical reasoning. * Includes additional indices that categorize each topic four different ways -- body system, clinical diagnosis, presenting symptom, and lifespan -- to assist students in organizing study needs. * Provides ICD-9 codes for diagnostic classification and for insurance reimbursement. * Includes algorithms for conditions, providing a quick overview of diagnosis and treatment options. * Presents differential diagnoses and the supporting data in a table format for quick information access. * Outlines diagnostic and lab tests available for each condition in table format, and includes test outcomes and cost ranges to enable logical decision-making on low-cost, high-yield test options. * Presents pharmaceutical treatment plans in table format, including essential information on costs, pregnancy categories, and pediatric and geriatric dosages, to facilitate treatment options. * Includes many client education materials that students may copy and incorporate in their practice.